The European Commission has made a youth mobility scheme a key demand amid Sir Keir Starmer’s post-Brexit reset with Brussels after years of tense relations under successive Conservative administrations.
The proposal, which has become a major sticking point between the UK and EU, would likely mirror similar arrangements Britain already has with countries including Australia and Japan and would allow 18- to 35-year-olds to move and work freely between countries for up to two years.
However, Sir Sadiq will argue it would “help to aid economic growth across Europe, but also give young Londoners and EU citizens important life experiences, like the opportunity to work abroad and learn more about our respective languages and cultures”.
Sir Keir has promised to forge new ties with Europe as part of his plan for a Brexit reset, signing a new defence cooperation agreement with Germany in October aimed at boosting security, investment and jobs in both nations.
It comes as the prime minister finds himself on a collision course with Donald Trump over the future of Ukraine and the US president’s latest threat to impose tariffs on the UK, with the government being urged to forge closer trade ties with Europe to counter the threat.
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