Free Movement with EU for young people?

[Kendodd]

Would you support?
YANBU = Yes
YABU = No

BBC News - EU proposes some free movement for UK young people
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68848046

This move is great for low paid hospitality workers, who would struggle to secure a job and visa etc before travel. My DD (Chef qualifications) always wanted to do the cruise ships. They require a EU passport. She works in catering in the NHS. Working in hospitality was a great way to earn while you travelled across Europe.

Given the parlous state of MFL in UK schools, I think the main flow will be into the UK as young Europeans, nearly universally, want to learn/improve English.

The EU would like to export some of their youth unemployment statistics.
The hospitality industry is desperately in need of reliable competent waiting and kitchen staff, plus our NMW is among the highest in Europe.

The world was a completely different place. We had books and cashable giros for benefits. Wages were cash, a bank account etc wasn't needed. Airport security wasn't a thing etc. I know people who used to share a passport. Children didn't have their own. There was no CRB, ID etc checks. What happened in times gone by is irrelevant.

What happens when people have been abroad for a few years and are about to turn 30? Is it like Logan’s Run?

Well yes, now then need an expensive and time-consuming visa that they didn't need before. So they go to Ireland instead, where they get the benefit of an English-speaking university experience without any bureaucracy.

One of my children will probably study a European Language for their degree so from a position of self-interest this is appealing.

However, freedom of movement moves in both directions and was a primary driver in the referendum result. I strongly believe that the referendum was an unexpected win for the Leave side because of the especially high numbers of immigrants, particularly young men, into Europe over the previous year. IIRC, Germany accepted a million in the year prior to the referendum - apologies if number is wrong - embarrassing if I'm wildly out. Once allowed to live in Germany, they were also allowed to live in the UK because of freedom of movement. I think this really influence the referendum result.

I'm a remainer but accept the decision of the referendum. This seems like a back door way to bring some of the EU agreement back so could stir up a whole lot of trouble again. I'd be interested to know why it's being offered now. And also pleased if it went through that it is young people, who were mostly remainers, who would benefit most.

Is this an equivalent scheme to Erasmus?

I agree with Sasha here. What she's saying is it could work, but we have to be careful it's not one sided - think back to prior 2016 (if you were in the UK).

The EU miss our language schools and universities being cheap! This is not replicated by Ireland so they want it back. Anyway, I think it's a good idea for younger people. Both ways or not. We are an ageing population and frankly need other youngsters to contribute to our tax coffers

Well if they are successful then they will probably stay in the EU and apply for a local passport or if they are unsuccessful then they would probably just come back to the UK.

I think it should be part of the GE if it’s going to happen

Currently neither party is saying yes so maybe it’s not going to anyway

@Walkingtheplank

Once allowed to live in Germany, they were also allowed to live in the UK because of freedom of movement. I think this really influence the referendum result..

It did, but what often got ignored in the noise is that it was strictly freedom of movement for work purposes ( which included education.)…

There were definitely mechanisms available to ensure anyone moving across EU Borders didn’t become a burden on the host state (still are) but some countries maybe didn’t avail themselves of such mechanisms…..

Anyhow we are where we are….

There are no tuition fees for third level in Ireland, and student loans are not necessary (don't exist) there either.

A student who is a resident of EU/UK (yes UK), Switzerland etc. can study in Ireland as an undergraduate for an annual registration fee of €3k max. Tuition fees are paid by the Government unless the college is private. The student will of course have to pay for books, exams, accommodation and so on, but there are grants and tax reliefs available if so.

I'm curious as to what the fees and costs in UK are. Are they cheaper than that?

Third-level student fees and charges (citizensinformation.ie)

But this could be managed by visa conditions if it were reciprocal. In that sense it would not be much different to any other immigration matter. EU is not proposing FOM.

Anyway, we now have migration from other countries in far greater numbers than at any point in our EU membership. It is a clever proposal and should be thought about properly

@quizzys - you misunderstand me. The EU would like its students to have cheaper access to English universities. That is what they miss. The quality is high and there is more capacity. Ireland is not like for like.

If it’s lower university fees that are sought does it leave a funding gap that needs to be filled?

Good question! Currently EU students are paying international fees. Not that our domestic fees are very cheap. But the education is high quality.

The EU are always like this. If they can't get something of good quality in its borders it will do a deal. See also clearing houses in City of London...

This.

The prestige of the UK universities might be the pull here.

@CurrentHun

We should ask to rejoin and be an EU country again!
Brexit is a total failure, loads of people were shamelessly tricked and lied to to get them to vote for it. Remember the NHS bus?

I agree with your first sentence but not the second. People weren't shamelessly tricked. Johnson, Farage et al were obviously lying and the former is a known serial liar (amongst other things). I'm a person of average intelligence and I knew it was all bullshit. Shamelessly tricked - more like no cure for stupid!

Bilateral agreements would be preferable. Our border force have already prevented around 25,000 Romanian citizens from entering the UK since 2021 - how many young Britons want to live and work in Romania?

The EU does not do bilateral agreements. It's the EU as a whole or not at all.

So what's The France-Canada Youth Mobility Agreement?

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great humour.

A scheme that requires a visa.