The petition of residents of the constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk,
Declares regret that the UK Government has rejected an EU-wide youth mobility scheme that would make it easier for our young people to live, study and work across the EU, as well as remove barriers to young EU citizens coming here to fill vital employment gaps.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to show a willingness to negotiate with the European Commission on re-opening these opportunities for our young people.
And the petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Martyn Day, Official Report, 8 May 2024; Vol. 749, c. 660 .]
[P002974]
Observations from the Minister for Legal Migration and the Border (Tom Pursglove):
Mobility remains an important pillar of our relationships with our European neighbours. The Government recognise the cultural value of youth mobility and the importance of facilitating cultural exchange opportunities for young people.
The UK currently operates 13 successful youth mobility arrangements with countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. These are subject to bilateral, reciprocal arrangements that also provide benefits to British citizens seeking to experience overseas life, with the detail negotiated and agreed between the relevant parties.
The Government note the publication by the European Commission on 18 April 2024 setting out a proposal to EU member states and seeking their agreement to negotiate a UK-EU wide youth mobility arrangement. This is currently a matter for the EU and its member states and the UK has not been formally approached by the EU on this proposal, but the Government have been clear that they have no plans to agree to an EU-wide YMS.
The Commission’s proposal goes far beyond any scheme the UK or EU member states currently operate, and while it may appear like a generous offer to the young people of the UK, in fact, the proposed arrangement would allow UK nationals entry to only a single member state and therefore not allow “intra-Union” mobility beyond the up to 90 days in every 180 days of travel throughout the Schengen zone already offered.
The Government are willing to explore new, precedent-based, bilateral YMS arrangements with international partners, including individual EU member states who are interested and where it is in the UK’s interests and supports the skills and opportunities of our youth. This is an offer that I, and other Ministers, have consistently made to our friends in the European Union and is in keeping with other bilateral arrangements that EU member states have with various third countries, including Australia and Canada. That offer from the UK Government stands, and I am keen to engage further on it if member states wish to approach us.
Further details of any additional YMS arrangements will be announced once they are concluded.