Pressure mounts on Government to rethink stance on mobility amid EU negotiations
More than 60 Labour backbench MPs, supported by 11 peers, have written to the minister responsible for EU relations, urging the Government to pursue a “bespoke youth visa scheme” with the European Union. The proposal is aimed at restoring mobility for young people under 30, while avoiding a return to full freedom of movement.
In their letter to Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Minister for EU Relations, the signatories argue that such a scheme would foster stronger cultural, educational, and economic ties with the EU — and would symbolise a tangible shift in the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with its largest trading partner.
The EU has already expressed interest in establishing a youth mobility agreement, and the call from within Labour’s own ranks increases pressure on the Government to act. The intervention comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer seeks to “reset” relations with Brussels following years of post-Brexit friction.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, speaking on LBC, confirmed that migration policies remain a sensitive issue. “Those discussions with our colleagues and allies in the European Union are ongoing at the moment,” she said. “We made a clear manifesto commitment to bring down net migration and for no return to free movement within the European Union. It is important that we determine who comes into our country, and those things are not up for negotiation.”
Despite the Chancellor’s firm stance, the MPs behind the letter insist that a youth mobility scheme need not undermine those commitments. They argue the scheme could mirror existing reciprocal visa agreements the UK has with countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, offering time-limited visas with capped numbers.
“A bespoke scheme would extend new cultural, educational and economic opportunities to young people in the UK without returning to free movement,” the letter states. “It would also provide British citizens with reciprocal rights across the EU, reinforcing the UK’s soft power and global reach.”
The signatories are also pushing for closer cooperation with the EU in other areas. The letter calls for improved collaboration on defence and security, as well as a deal on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards to ease the burden of border checks on food products — two issues that already align with existing Government policy.
Andrew Lewin, the Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield and one of the letter’s leading voices, said: “The Government committed to a stronger partnership with the EU in our manifesto. We have a mandate for change and a chance to strike a deal to reduce the burdens on business and be a catalyst for economic growth.”
“Many assumptions about global trade have been thrown into doubt in recent weeks. What is certain is that the UK will be in a stronger position if we can negotiate a closer deal with the EU, which remains our single largest trading partner.”
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The timing of the letter is significant, as Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, ahead of the UK-EU summit scheduled for 19 May. The meeting is seen as a key moment in Britain’s attempt to rebuild political and economic bridges with Brussels.
The MPs note that the upcoming summit offers “a significant opportunity to build a stronger, safer country and for our European partners to strengthen their own prosperity and security”.
While the Government continues to resist any arrangement that resembles pre-Brexit freedom of movement, momentum is building for a more nuanced approach — one that prioritises youth exchange and economic cooperation without surrendering border control.
Whether that balance can be struck remains to be seen, but for now, Labour backbenchers are making it clear: they believe the time has come to take a bold step towards rebuilding ties with Europe.
