On the eve of the 20 November UK-EU summit, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse has tabled Early Day Motion 1161 urging ministers to conclude negotiations on a reciprocal Youth Experience Scheme that would restore short-term work and travel rights for 18- to 30-year-olds. The motion, lodged on 11 November, highlights widespread cross-party and business support for lowering post-Brexit mobility barriers for young talent. The proposed scheme mirrors the existing Youth Mobility arrangements the UK already operates with countries such as Australia and Canada but would cover all EU member states on a quota-free basis. Participants would receive two-year, multi-entry permits allowing work, study and travel without the need for employer sponsorship – a boon for graduate recruiters, seasonal industries and international assignment programmes. Business groups including the CBI and Tech UK argue that the UK’s inability to access Erasmus+ and other EU mobility programmes has hurt skills pipelines. Re-introducing simplified youth mobility could ease acute labour shortages in hospitality, agriculture and the creative industries while giving UK graduates an affordable route to continental work experience. Home Office sources have indicated that any deal must be "fully reciprocal" and compatible with the new Earned Settlement framework – time spent on a Youth Experience visa would not count towards future ILR. EU negotiators, for their part, want safeguards against exploitation and equal access for EU youth to the UK labour market. Although Early Day Motions rarely become law, they act as barometers of parliamentary opinion. With only one signature so far, EDM 1161 is unlikely to force an immediate policy shift, but mobility managers should watch the upcoming summit closely – a political agreement could be announced and implemented via secondary legislation in 2027.
