Campaigners have urged the UK and EU to expedite a Youth Mobility Scheme after the French President called for both sides to restore opportunities to young people.
In his address to both houses of the UK parliament today, Emmanual Macron called for increased opportunities for cultural, student and professional exchange.
The French President said, "Let's allow out children to have the same opportunities as we had," in what many have interpreted as a reference to the reciprocal Youth Experience Scheme which both the EU and UK agreed to progress in May.
However, speaking to a Lords Committee today, the Home Secretary refused to confirm if an EU-UK Youth Mobility Scheme would be in place by 2026 or even by 2027.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said:
“Every year this scheme is delayed represents thousands of young people on both sides of the Channel being denied life enhancing experiences that bring economic and cultural benefits to our societies.
“Now that the EU has secured its mandate, it is in the interests of decision makers in Westminster and Brussels to ensure all Europeans feel the benefits of the reset and both sides should be moving much faster to give opportunities back to young people with a Youth Mobility Scheme.”