EU hints at compromise on youth mobility deal

The government has ruled out rejoining the EU, or its individual big projects – the single market and the customs union.

Membership of the single market would oblige the UK to accept freedom of movement – where citizens of any members of it can move freely between member countries.

Many at Westminster conclude that unlimited immigration from the EU was a motivating factor for many to back leaving the EU in the referendum in 2016.

The prime minister was a passionate supporter of Remain in the referendum and later campaigned for a second referendum.

Senior Labour figures are aware that some who backed Leave might be suspicious of the government’s true intentions – and so made their red lines on negotiations with the EU very clear in the election campaign.

The political difficulty of a youth mobility scheme is some would see it as at least a partial return of freedom of movement, for some people, for a fixed period of time.

It is also likely, given the EU’s size, that more young people from the continent would come to the UK than vice versa.

EU figures insist it would be nothing of the sort.

Mr Serrano said: “There is the fear of migration. It’s a big topic not only in this country but in Europe as well. And we have to see how we’re going to be facing that working together more effectively. But it has nothing to do with the youth mobility scheme.”

“The government would like to negotiate a veterinary agreement to remove some border checks, help touring artists travel around Europe and get a deal where the UK and EU recognise the professional qualifications of each other’s people.”