Europe: Youth Mobility

Baroness Smith of Llanfaes Excerpts

Thursday 30th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the speech of the noble Lord, Lord Balfe, and the pro-European words he has just shared with us. I thank the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of St Albans for bringing this important debate to this House and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Moraes, on his maiden speech. He introduced today’s debate with such passion, and it was important to hear his own experiences of how mobility schemes have reached out to those from underprivileged backgrounds. That was an important note. I look forward to hearing more of his contributions and say croeso, welcome, to the noble Lord.

As the youngest Member of this House, I take a special interest in proposals that will offer young people more opportunities. Under-30s, who such schemes are aimed at, are a generation which has been most affected by the loss of work opportunities post-Brexit. This has been coupled with the isolating experiences that the Covid pandemic had on youth. Along with being locked out of the housing market with low wages, hopes are dashed for many in my generation. His Majesty’s Government have an opportunity to change this with an act of good will towards young people, establishing a new youth mobility scheme with the EU. This is not just about young people but about the other benefits to the economy and society, as has been shared by many noble Lords today.

We are not alone in this view. A poll conducted by YouGov for the European Council on Foreign Relations found that almost seven in 10 Britons, including a 55% majority of former pro-Brexit voters, would support a scheme that would allow 200,000 18 to 40 year-olds from the UK and the EU to travel, study and work freely in each other’s countries for up to four years.

I would like to talk about the broader context that this debate offers. Yesterday, Wales’s biggest university, Cardiff University, announced plans to cut 400 jobs. The proposals include completely axing courses such as nursing, music, ancient history and modern languages. Other schools will be merged to save money. I fear that Cardiff University will not be the last to make such an announcement.

After Brexit, the UK’s withdrawal from Erasmus and continuous cuts to fields such as culture and the arts mean that current modern languages students in particular undoubtedly get a markedly different experience from other alumni. However, language learning is no less important today than at any point in the past. It could be argued that mutual understanding is more crucial in today’s world than ever before.

The vice-chancellor has blamed these difficult decisions on the precarious financial position of many universities, particularly in the context of declining international student applications and increasing cost pressures—these issues are tied closely together. Cardiff University is not alone in this struggle; many universities across the UK have been warning of a crisis looming. In the case of universities in Wales, the Welsh Government and His Majesty’s Government have a lot to answer for. The recent decision on national insurance has made the situation worse.

Before I conclude, I will rebut claims that this would be a return to free movement. This is not the case for the youth mobility scheme already established with 12 non-EU countries, because it would be time limited and require people to meet certain conditions before and during their stay. His Majesty’s Government could set the quota and the length of stay. When the UK was a member state, UK nationals had the right to move and reside freely within the EU; that is not the case for this scheme.

Although it has been reported that the EU has been forthcoming with proposals for a mobility scheme with the UK, I strongly urge His Majesty’s Government to show leadership and proactively suggest their own proposal. As part of designing a proposal—today we have had several suggestions for what that could include—I would also make the case for expanding the age limit. Many people in their 30s and in their early careers would enjoy and benefit from an opportunity to work, study and live abroad. As the Prime Minister is set to meet EU leaders in Brussels on Monday, I hope that a youth mobility scheme is on the table and is progressed. I also hope that the future of our higher education institutions is considered as part of His Majesty’s Government’s reset with the EU.

I will close with a couple of questions for the Minister directly. Can she confirm whether a youth mobility scheme will be discussed with EU leaders next week? Furthermore, can she share with us what consultation His Majesty’s Government are undertaking or plan to undertake with young people regarding the UK’s reset with the EU?