Politics

Sadiq Khan Backs EU Youth Mobility Plan, Sparking Migration Concerns

Published on May 19, 2025

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly backed the introduction of a UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme, a proposal that has drawn sharp criticism from Brexiteers who argue it undermines the fundamental goals of the UK’s departure from the European Union.

In a six-point thread on social media, Khan described the fallout from Brexit as “heartbreaking,” especially the loss of rights to live, work, and travel freely across the EU. The Mayor said the proposed scheme would help tackle skills shortages and support economic growth across the UK and Europe.

“At the same time, we’ll continue to invest in skills and training schemes to give Londoners and Brits the tools they need to pursue better-paying jobs,” Khan said.

He added, “A UK-EU youth mobility scheme would only help this effort and make it easier for the Government to fulfil its ambitions. It’s why I’ve long been urging the PM and British negotiators to pull out all the stops to get it over the line. This is a make-or-break moment in European history.”

Khan argues the policy would help “fill critical gaps in our labour market and fuel growth” by allowing young European citizens to work and travel in the UK — a position that has ignited outrage among Brexit supporters, according to GB News.

Critics warn that the EU’s proposal could open the floodgates to hundreds of thousands of new migrants, undermining the post-Brexit immigration framework. While the UK currently operates capped Youth Mobility Schemes with 13 countries — including Australia and New Zealand — a similar agreement with the EU could potentially be uncapped, raising fears of mass migration.

Data shared by GB News revealed that 60% of EU nationals who registered for UK work between 2012 and 2024 were under 30, with numbers peaking at 65% in 2012/13 and rebounding to 63% post-pandemic in 2023/24. The Migration Observatory also reported that 1.36 million EU-born adults aged 18–30 arrived in Britain between 2004 and 2016.

Responding to the controversy, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This looks like it could become Free Movement by the back door.” He also raised alarm about certain EU states offering fast-tracked citizenship to asylum seekers, suggesting this could become a “serious loophole” in the UK’s immigration system.

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson added: “Letting in hundreds of thousands more EU migrants would directly defy the wishes of the British people. It was a close vote, but we chose Brexit — and won.”

As Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepares for Monday’s UK-EU summit, concerns are mounting over further concessions to Brussels. With talks set to cover youth mobility, fishing, and regulatory alignment, critics warn the Government may be preparing to soften its Brexit stance.

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