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Starmer open to talks on under-30s getting new Brexit migration rights

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to be pressured over a key sticking point in Brexit reset talks when he holds a crunch meeting with the European Commission President next week.

Ursula von der Leyen is expected by diplomats to raise the EU’s ask for a youth mobility scheme on Wednesday in her first formal face-to-face talks with the Prime Minister since the election, on Wednesday

Ms von der Leyen – who will ultimately preside over negotiations on Sir Keir’s proposed Brexit “reset”, is seen as a keen supporter of youth mobility, having previously studied in the UK.

The German politician is also regarded as a natural supporter of one of Berlin’s key asks from the reset talks.

It comes amid improving mood music on the idea of youth mobility.

i revealed on Tuesday that the EU was ready to offer concessions to get a deal. These include shortening the length of time young EU citizens would be able to stay in the UK, from four years to two or three.

Senior UK Government insiders expressed confidence that the EU would back down on some of its other proposals, notably the demand that EU students should be entitled to lower university fees and not have to pay premium international fees – which the UK is unlikely to ever accept.

A youth mobility deal is a key EU ask if Sir Keir wants to unlock new agreements on security and trade, but the UK has been cold on the idea, due to fears it will be perceived as opening the door to higher immigration.

The Government has repeatedly ruled out any agreement on youth mobility due to the impact it might have on migration numbers, and fears over being seen as backsliding on Brexit.

However, the Prime Minister’s pledge to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU, and a deal that would make trade easier, are seen as essential to the Government’s mission to grow the economy. Both sides will be seeking a compromise, with Sir Keir suggesting he is open to talks.

Asked if a youth mobility scheme was on the cards, he said: “We’ve no plans for a youth mobility scheme but we are heading out [to Brussels] for an important meeting this week – I don’t want to get ahead of any important discussion we’ll have but it is an important meeting this week which will go ahead”

The EU’s ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, appeared to confirm i’s reporting this week when he said any policy would operate more like a “gap year” than a migration scheme, and would not allow European citizens the right for long periods in the UK.

Speaking to reporters at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, the Prime Minister did not rule out the possibility of reaching a compromise that could make it easier for EU nationals to travel to and study in the UK.

He also said there was a new deal to be done with the EU on defence, security and trade – which will make it easier for businesses to work with European nations – but warned it would be challenging.

The formal meeting comes after he and Ms von der Leyen met face to face for the first time on the margins of the UNGA in New York

Speaking to reporters during the US trip, Sir Keir refused to be drawn on where he hoped to see changes that could smooth trading between UK businesses and the EU, but said it would be an important element of his Government’s pledge to boost economic growth.

“I’m not going to get into the details of what that might look like in the future, but I want to ensure that we’ve got a closer trading relationship if it’s possible,” he added, when pressed on what tangible changes could be made to the existing agreement.

“One of the difficulties in these circumstances is trying to do a running commentary on the process that hasn’t begun, which is a big mistake, but I want to ensure that we’ve got a closer trading relationship if we can. I’m not going to pretend it’s easy, but I think it’s possible.”

He said the meeting was “the beginning of quite a long process” but he expected movement on defence, security and trade overall.

“In broad terms, can we do more on defence and security together? Yes, I think we can. Can we do more on border security? Yes, I think we can. That needs to be done and can be done in close relationship with EU in addition to the bilateral work that I’ve already started with France, Germany and Italy,” he said.

“And of course, a closer trading relationship. I want to make it easier for businesses to trade, and I think that is in our interest as the United Kingdom.”

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