Germany ‘optimistic' over deal to allow young EU migrants to UK
A top German diplomat has said he is 'really optimistic' that Britain will agree a deal to allow young EU migrants to live and work in the UK.
Miguel Berger, the German ambassador to the UK, said on Friday he was confident the UK and EU were 'moving in a good direction' in agreeing to a youth visa scheme enabling under-30s from Europe to stay in the UK.
British officials are more sceptical, despite a change in the Government's tone from publicly declaring that there are 'no plans' for such a youth mobility scheme to one in which senior ministers have opened the door to negotiations.
But there is concern among some within the Government that the EU is talking up the prospect of a deal ahead of the first UK-EU summit since Brexit next month, which is designed to pave the way for a 'reset' in relations with the bloc.
It followed suggestions that Britain was open to a 'one in, one out' scheme.
This would involve capping the number of young EU citizens coming to the UK so they do not exceed British people going to Europe to ensure no increase in net migration.
'Lots of this is being fuelled by EU speculation,' said a source.
Mr Berger said: 'I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction. It would make it possible for young people with parents with a lower income to experience the possibility to work abroad, to learn a language, and we would like to have this in both directions.'
He denied it would fuel inflation and said that there 'needed to be progress'.
'There is a very serious and dedicated preparatory work for the summit on May 19,' he said.
On Wednesday, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, confirmed that a youth mobility scheme was being discussed with the EU, despite Nick Thomas-Symonds, the paymaster general, saying the following day that a visa deal was 'not part of our plans'.
Ms Reeves has been reported as being in favour of the scheme while Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is said to have argued against allowing EU citizens to stay more than 12 months, as any longer would mean they would be included in the net migration figures.
More than 60 Labour backbenchers signed a letter this week calling for 'a new and bespoke youth visa scheme' for citizens under 30 from the UK and Europe.
In their letter, the MPs and peers said any youth mobility scheme should be in line with the UK's existing arrangements with countries such as Australia and Canada, with a time limit on visas and a cap on numbers.
A No 10 spokesman said on Friday: 'We've always been clear about the nature of these discussions.
'Both sides are discussing a wide range of issues, which is entirely normal for any negotiation. I don't think we could have been clearer that this is not about returning to the EU, but we will not be defined by the debates and arguments of the past.
'What we will be defined by is putting more money in the pockets of working people and providing Britain with long-term stability and security.'
The spokesman later added: 'The Prime Minister has been very clear about the benefits that a better partnership with the EU can bring and how it can unlock benefits for British people and British business.'
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