The United Kingdom (UK) has reportedly turned down a youth mobility agreement with Spain.
A youth mobility deal could have eased travel and work opportunities for young people in the UK and Spain post-Brexit.
It would have allowed Spanish youth to live and work in the UK for up to two years without sponsorship from an employer.
Most youth mobility deals are reciprocal, which means young Brits could also live and work in Spain for the same length of time.
Despite this, the EU’s broader offer remains on the table, signaling a continuing push for better mobility arrangements.
Spain’s youth mobility proposal to the UK
A source in The Telegraph said UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussed a potential youth mobility scheme with the Spanish Prime Minister.
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez reportedly floated the proposal during a private meeting at the European Political Community summit earlier this month.
Starmer is believed to have said he would consider the proposal, which starkly contrasts the previous UK administration’s stand.
The talks sparked concerns about what Starmer might be prepared to concede to the EU to improve relations with Europe.
However, according to The Independent, Starmer had rejected Spain’s youth mobility proposal.
A government spokesperson stressed that there are no plans to rejoin the EU’s single market or reintroduce freedom of movement.
“And we are not considering a youth mobility scheme,” the spokesperson told The Independent.
Ending free movement was a key aspect of Brexit, and introducing an EU-wide scheme could be seen as undermining this principle.
It will also break the Labour Party’s pledge during the election campaign not to reinstate freedom of movement.
UK’s youth mobility deals with other countries
A youth mobility deal is an agreement that allows young people aged 18 to 30 to move between participating countries.
These agreements allow young people to live, work, and travel within partner countries for up to one or two years.
The main objective is to foster cultural exchange, boost personal and professional growth, and fortify international relations.
Youth mobility agreements often come with specific eligibility criteria and may require participants to obtain special visas.
The UK currently has reciprocal youth mobility schemes with 13 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Its programs have a set number of participants each year, and some employ a lottery system to ensure fair selection.
The UK youth mobility deals differ from the EU’s freedom of movement in that participants must obtain a UK visa and its qualifications.
This includes paying the visa fee and a health surcharge and proving that they have ample funds to support themselves.
Several UK youth mobility deal quotas have been increased this year to accommodate more young people.
EU-wide proposal still on the table
Despite the UK’s reported rejection of Spain’s youth mobility proposal, the EU’s previous offer is still on the table.
In April, the European Commission proposed to the European Council to open negotiations with the UK for a reciprocal youth mobility agreement.
The Commission stated that decreased mobility between the UK and its member states is one of the most significant results of Brexit.
This has significantly impacted young people, limiting their opportunities for cultural, educational, and training exchanges.
Many saw the proposal as a positive step towards warming UK-EU relations and urged the UK government to consider it.
However, the UK government rejected it, citing concerns about potential complications.
The proposed EU-wide youth mobility deal would have eliminated expensive UK visa fees and a health surcharge.
It also demanded that EU students pay the same lower local tuition rates that British students enjoy.
Post-Brexit, EU students were required to pay international tuition rates, which are two or three times higher.
The British government has been firm in its preference for bilateral agreements with specific countries instead of an EU-wide deal.
However, the EU will likely insist that Member States do not sign one with the UK while the EU-wide offer remains on the table.
A European Commission spokesman confirmed that the bloc-wide youth mobility deal proposal remains despite the refusals.
A spokesperson told The Telegraph that they could start negotiating with the UK only after the European Council adopted the proposal.
Reactions and criticisms
Many believe such agreements are crucial for maintaining cultural and educational exchanges between the UK and EU countries.
Critics argue that rejecting the deal limits opportunities for young people and hinders their ability to gain international experience.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been vocal in his support for a UK-EU youth mobility agreement.
He said it would help London fill labor gaps in various sectors, benefiting the economies of both participating countries.
Khan plans for a student exchange program with the bloc if the government refuses a youth mobility deal with the EU.
Many youth organizations from continental Europe and Britain support youth mobility deals with the UK and the EU.
While the immediate proposal has reportedly been turned down, the ongoing EU offer keeps the door open for future agreements.
It’s uncertain if a new deal will satisfy both the UK’s post-Brexit stance and the EU’s desire for increased mobility and cooperation.