Post-Brexit youth visa scheme with EU ‘not in Government plans’, minister says
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Minister slaps down talk of post-Brexit EU youth visa
- Government minister Nick Thomas-Symonds says that a post-Brexit youth visa scheme with the EU is not currently planned.
- This comes despite calls from more than 60 Labour MPs for a scheme allowing UK and EU citizens under 30 to live and work in each other's countries for up to two years.
- The government says it aims to establish a new partnership with the EU focused on safety, security, and prosperity, but ruled out a return to freedom of movement.
- While a UK-EU summit is scheduled for May 19 to discuss potential agreements, Downing Street declined to comment on the possibility of a future youth mobility scheme.
- Former Brexit department permanent secretary Philip Rycroft criticised the government's stance, suggesting it could lead to accusations of a climbdown if a deal is eventually reached.