The European Commission has proposed negotiations with the United Kingdom to allow young people to move freely, work, and study in both the EU and the UK after Brexit. The decision comes after the 2016 referendum which resulted in the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, impacting mobility between the two regions. The agreement aims to restore opportunities for young people to experience life on both sides of the Channel and participate in youth, cultural, educational, research, and training exchanges. Under the proposal, EU and UK citizens aged 18 to 30 would be eligible to stay up to four years in the destination country.
Additionally, the agreement would also lead to equal treatment of EU and UK students in terms of university tuition fees. Currently, most EU students studying in the UK are required to pay international tuition fees, ranging from £11,400 to £38,000 per year, which can be a significant deterrent for many EU students who are not accustomed to such high fees within the EU. The Commission’s recommendation will need to be approved by EU member countries before negotiations with the UK can begin. The UK government has expressed openness to agreements with international partners, including EU member states, highlighting their existing Youth Mobility Scheme with 13 countries, such as Australia and New Zealand.
On the other hand, the UK also has its own Youth Mobility Scheme, which has been extended to some EU member states. The Commission believes that the British plan is less ambitious compared to their proposal. The British government acknowledges the value of cultural exchanges facilitated by their agreements with partner countries, emphasizing the importance of reciprocity in offering opportunities for young British people as well. Overall, the proposed agreement aims to facilitate smoother movements of young individuals between the EU and the UK, allowing them to work, study, and experience life in both regions more easily.
Overall, the agreement proposed by the European Commission seeks to address the impact of Brexit on mobility between the EU and the UK, particularly for young people. The agreement aims to restore opportunities for young individuals to live, work, and study in both regions after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU following the 2016 referendum. By allowing EU and UK citizens between 18 and 30 years old to stay up to four years in the destination country, the agreement aims to promote cultural, educational, research, and training exchanges between the two regions.
Furthermore, the agreement would also ensure equal treatment of EU and UK students in terms of university tuition fees. Currently, most EU students studying in the UK are required to pay significantly higher international tuition fees, which can act as a deterrent for many students. By addressing this issue, the agreement aims to encourage more EU students to study in the UK and vice versa, enhancing academic exchanges between the regions. The UK government has expressed openness to negotiations with the EU to facilitate such agreements, emphasizing the value of cultural exchanges with international partners.
In contrast, the UK also has its own Youth Mobility Scheme, which has been extended to some EU member states. However, the European Commission believes the British plan is less ambitious compared to its proposal. The British government recognizes the importance of offering opportunities for young British individuals through cultural exchanges with partner countries, highlighting the need for reciprocity in providing such opportunities. Overall, the proposed agreement aims to enhance mobility, cultural exchanges, and educational opportunities for young people between the EU and the UK, addressing the challenges posed by Brexit and ensuring smoother movements between the two regions.
