The new Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller, called on the Prime Minister to open talks with the EU on a proposed Youth Mobility Scheme in parliament this week.

This proposal would provide young UK citizens, like Mr Miller’s constituent Rose, with greater opportunities to work and study in Europe.

In his address on Monday, Mr Miller referred to the fact the Prime Minister had recently hosted the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, in his Bicester constituency.

He went on to give the example of his constituent, Rose, who wants to work in Spain during her year abroad for a degree in Spanish and French at Southampton University.

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“[Rose] would like to spend her year abroad working in Spain to strengthen her language skills and improve her employment prospects," he said.

"Yet, as it stands, she has no rights to work there.

"I hope the Prime Minister saw the benefits of working with his European counterparts and perhaps making a few new friends.

"I hear his response on not re-joining the political structures, but there’s a specific measure to improve the opportunities for young people.

"Will he open talks with the European Union on a youth mobility scheme?”

The current mobility rules say that nationals can visit the EU visa-free for 90 days within any 180-day period, subject to national laws for paid activities, and EU citizens can visit the UK visa-free for up to six months.

In April 2024, the European Commission proposed talks on an agreement with the UK to facilitate youth mobility.

Both the Conservative government and the Labour opposition rejected the offer.

Responding to Mr Miller, Sir Keir Starmer repeated the Labour party’s position on not re-joining the political structures of the EU.

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However, he indicated a desire to work on a better deal with the EU, including by working with other parties.

Mr Starmer said: “We're not returning to freedom of movement, but I do understand the desire of people to work in other countries."

"I need to be clear - there's no re-joining the EU, there's no re-joining the single market or the Customs Union or a return to freedom of movement.

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"But I do believe there’s a better deal that we could work on.

"And I think that the more we can work across the house on that, the better because then it will be the more enduring.”

Posting on X afterwards, Mr Miller said: "I asked the Prime Minister if he would start talks on a youth mobility scheme, so young people like Rose can work more freely in the EU.

"I'm glad he said he was open to work with other parties on these proposals to strengthen the UK/EU relationship."

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