Labour Rejects EU Offer of Freedom of Movement for Young People

The UK Labour Government has rejected an offer to bring back free movement for those aged 18 to 30 between the UK and the EU.

The EU had proposed a deal allowing free movement for young Europeans into the UK - with a reciprocal agreement for young people from the UK - for a period of up to three years.

This would have enabled people aged 18-30 from Scotland to work, study or volunteer in the EU’s 27 member states.

During the election campaign Sir Keir Starmer MP had repeatedly promised to “reset relations with Europe.” However, a UK Government spokesperson now says: “we are not considering an EU-wide youth mobility scheme and there will be no return to freedom of movement.”

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, the travel agents’ association, said there has been a 69% decline in the number of UK citizens working in travel jobs in Europe since Brexit.

Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency also shows that during the 2017/18 academic year there were 9,010 students from the EU enrolled in Scottish universities. Post-Brexit that number has dropped dramatically to 4,515.

Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:

“Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to Brexit is damaging business and depriving young people of opportunities that people like him enjoyed.

“He must rethink his opposition to rejoining the world's largest single market and freedom of movement, if he is serious about delivering strong economic growth.

"The SNP is now the only party offering people in Scotland a route back to the EU, single market and freedom of movement.”