London rejects Brussels proposal to facilitate the mobility of young people

April 20 () –

The United Kingdom Government has rejected an initiative from the European Commission to negotiate a possible relaxation of mobility conditions for citizens of both sides between 18 and 30 years old, warning that this type of large-scale pacts no longer have a place. after Brexit.

“We are not going to apply a youth mobility scheme for the entire EU, freedom of movement has ended and there are no plans to reintroduce it,” a spokesperson for the British Government concluded. London is instead committed to negotiating possible agreements of this nature country by country.

The Labor Party, favorite in voting intention polls, has also gone back in time to make it clear that it does not foresee changes if it comes to power. Thus, a spokesperson quoted by the BBC has assured that “the single market, the customs union or free movement will not return” if a Labor member opens the doors of Downing Street.

The proposal outlined this week from Brussels to the governments of the Twenty-seven aims to relax the obstacles that young Europeans have encountered since Brexit was completed to travel, study or reside in British territory, and vice versa.

Brussels proposes that the framework being negotiated allows citizens between 18 and 30 years old to “stay up to four years in the country of destination”, although community services make it clear that it is not about “returning” fundamental rights to the British. of the EU that they lost with the divorce, such as freedom of movement within the bloc.

Specifically, community services call for “innovative” measures to overcome the main barriers to mobility that young people encounter so that they can move for training, work or to reside for a longer period without encountering major obstacles.

To do this, it asks to limit the criteria that must be met to benefit from the new framework (age, maximum duration of stay, eligibility conditions, standards to verify compliance) without being subject to a precise condition such as a job or a course, nor to entry fees.

In any case, the Commission clarifies, it will not replace other existing regimes that regulate visas or residence permits, but will be complementary adapted to young people.