Overview

• The UK government is negotiating a youth mobility scheme with the EU to allow 18- to 30-year-olds to live and work temporarily in each other's countries.
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed discussions are ongoing, while maintaining red lines against freedom of movement, customs union, and Single Market membership.
• Home Secretary Yvette Cooper advocates for strict caps and a maximum 12-month duration, citing concerns about net migration increases.
• Over 60 Labour MPs are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to agree to a capped, time-limited visa as a key step toward unlocking a broader trade reset with the EU.
• The EU has emphasized that an agreement on youth mobility is critical to reducing trade barriers, with final decisions expected at the May UK-EU summit.