Labour is considering a new approach to youth mobility, with discussions around allowing young Europeans to work and study in the UK under a “one in, one out” policy. The scheme, reportedly backed by Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, aims to keep immigration numbers in check while fostering youth exchange between Britain and the European Union.
The move comes amid ongoing efforts by the Labour party to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit.
Sources indicate that the scheme would offer limited opportunities for young EU nationals to enter the UK, provided that the number of incoming Europeans would be proportionate to the number of British youth travelling to Europe. However, the plan is still in its early stages, with no official proposal yet on the table.
Labour’s Balanced Approach to Migration Control
Yvette Cooper has reportedly expressed cautious support for the initiative, provided that it addresses key concerns about migration control. According to The Times, she is primarily focused on reducing net migration and wants to avoid any policy that could inadvertently lead to an increase in immigration numbers.
While Cooper has supported youth exchange in principle, she has also pushed back against ideas that might allow young Europeans to stay in the UK for more than 12 months. Her preference is for a cap to ensure that the scheme remains tightly controlled, preventing a return to the free movement of people seen before Brexit.
In a recent statement, a Home Office source highlighted that the scheme must be carefully considered in light of the government’s ongoing priority to reduce migration levels. The “one in, one out” model could offer a solution, allowing young people to gain experience abroad without significantly impacting migration statistics.
The EU’s Optimism and Political Reactions
While discussions on the youth mobility scheme remain in the early stages, European officials have expressed optimism about its potential.
The German Ambassador to the UK praised the idea, noting that it would benefit young Europeans, especially those from lower-income families, by providing them with opportunities to work abroad, learn new languages, and experience different cultures.
However, not all parties within the UK are fully supportive of the scheme. Conservative critics have been quick to dismiss it, with Ross Kempsell, a Conservative peer, labelling the proposal as politically unrealistic.
Meanwhile, Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, reaffirmed the Labour Party’s commitment to its manifesto, which explicitly opposes a return to freedom of movement, the single market, or the customs union.
