He’s not proposing rejoining the EU, but relaxing visa rules which currently limit opportunities. His suggestions came in a Fabian Society Conference in January.
Other senior Labour leaders are not currently considering any formal links with the EU. This is the most pro-European proposal from a Labour politician since the referendum.
Enrol in Erasmus
In addition to setting up a youth mobility deal, Khan also believes that it was a mistake for the UK to leave the Erasmus study-abroad scheme and that it should rejoin. This would enable students to gain study placements in European universities again. He has signed a petition for the UK to rejoin the programme.
The UK’s Turing Scheme, created to replace Erasmus, has fallen short of the European scheme in scope and budget. The result is that fewer UK students have had the chance to study in Europe.
If UK students wish to independently arrange EU study, the cost (as a 3rd country applicant) is now often completely prohibitive.
Inversely, since Brexit only half the number of EU students come here, negatively impacting UK universities’ income.
Filling job vacancies
A big reason for also seeking a youth mobility agreement is that the mayor knows the economic damage Brexit has wreaked on the capital’s economy, which has already lost £30 billion. He wants looser restrictions to allow young Europeans to fill vacancies in certain sectors of the economy. This could particularly help the hospitality sector, hit hard by staff shortages since the pandemic and the departure of many EU nationals.
A reciprocal scheme could permit young Britons to go to EU countries and EU citizens to come here. Khan believes the economic, cultural and social benefits would be huge.
Electoral vote winner?
Khan’s proposal comes in the run-up to the 2024 mayoral elections where he seeks a third term as London mayor. His comments show that he will run a strongly pro-EU campaign against pro-Brexit Tory candidate Susan Hall. This is likely to draw support from London’s many younger voters. EU nationals who already live there are also eligible to vote in mayoral elections.
Could it work?
A bilateral youth mobility deal could include time-limited work and study opportunities but would not lead to permanent residential status. It is unclear whether Khan’s thinking includes those under 25, 30 or 35; or for how long residence abroad would be allowed. A Conservative Brexiteer has called for a similar scheme for those under 35.
The proposal to allow young Britons and EU nationals more mobility remains hypothetical for now. Such arrangements are not being considered in the UK or the EU, but pressure could increase to allow young people wider study and career prospects.
A dose of reality
However keen many Britons might be for such a pact, the EU may not wish to renegotiate the Brexit agreement. Young EU nationals already have complete free movement in 27 countries; adding the UK does not make such a difference. For Britons, a deal would add 27 nations to their horizon, for Europeans only one.
The EU would have to think that a sectoral youth deal is worth it for them. It would depend on young EU nationals wanting to be able to live specifically in Britain.
The EU would also need convincing that they need young Brits in their job market: they can already hire from 27 other nations.
If the barriers lifted…
But what might young people do with the freedom to live in European Union countries for a time, say until they are 35? We asked some about their ideas:
Beth, age 19, is studying languages at university. “It would solve my year abroad – I wouldn’t have to spend so much time and money on a French visa application to study. Uni work is hard enough without this stress!”
Adam, age 25: “I would have liked to study for a Masters degree in Europe but uni fees since Brexit are too high, unless you’re rich.”
Naomi, age 30: “With the freedom to stay in the EU for some months, I’d travel across Europe while working – digital nomad style. Europe’s in a similar time zone to where my job is so I could have calls to the UK at work times. I feel sad that the freedom to do this no longer exists.”
Ben, age 22, is studying music at Uni, and a performing musician. “I’d have quite liked to spend a year studying in Europe, and also to have the chance to travel with friends, and gig without limitations.”
Amber, age 17: “I’d like to be a fashion designer and work in Paris. But I suppose it’d be difficult.”
Rhys, age 26: “Before Brexit my workplace was full of people from Europe with different cultures and languages. So it’s not quite the same any more.”
Realistic?
Since the vast majority of young people voted to remain in the EU in 2016, it is particularly galling that now their opportunities have narrowed and their rights have been lost. Across the political spectrum, including the House of Lords, there are calls to mitigate the damage for mutual benefits in the EU and UK. Whether it’s a realistic aim is debatable.
Revised after publication to clarify the distinction between Sadiq Khan’s proposed youth mobility scheme and membership in Erasmus.
