Just 23,000 people came to UK last year on youth mobility visas
GuardianSEP 2024
UK Confirms Plans for EU Youth Mobility Scheme
Above: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on April 24, 2025. Image copyright: Andy Rain/Contributor/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
A U.K.-EU youth mobility scheme will offer young people time-limited, reciprocal opportunities to work and study abroad, just like what is already agreed with countries like Australia and Japan. Blocking such a deal over Brexit optics and false narratives of a return to free movement only punishes a generation disproportionately impacted by Brexit.
Right narrative
A U.K.-EU youth mobility scheme risks undermining Brexit by reintroducing the principles voters rejected in 2016. With large swathes of young unemployed Europeans, the U.K. could become a magnet for continental job seekers, undermining British workers and straining public services. This scheme isn't about cultural exchange — it's a backdoor route to free movement, and a betrayal of democratic promises.