Overview

• The UK and EU reached an in-principle agreement on a youth mobility scheme on May 20, but key details remain unresolved.
• The UK is pushing for a cap of 70,000–100,000 EU arrivals annually, while the EU seeks greater flexibility, potentially linking quotas to reciprocal participation.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces domestic pressure to finalize a deal, with industry leaders urging swift action to address labor shortages and economic opportunities.
• Disputes persist over EU demands to allow family dependents and access to benefits for visa holders, which the UK has declared red lines.
• The scheme draws on existing UK agreements with countries like Australia and New Zealand but remains politically contentious due to concerns over immigration and sovereignty.