PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT

YOUTH MOBILITY.

BUT COULD IT HAPPEN?

 
There is currently no Visa or Permit for a British ski instructor to work in Switzerland.

So is the the first step towards some kind of youth mobility permits (by another name) for Brits?

FIRST OF ALL: LET’S NOT GET CARRIED AWAY.

The UK Prime Minister has met the French President and the German Chancellor.

And neither meeting led to a concrete promise or a change in the status quo.

Kier Starmer gave a press conference with the German Chancellor where he specifically said:

“…we do not have plans for [the] Youth Mobility Scheme.”

So he flatly refused to commit to the Youth Mobility Scheme – this was a reference to the existing EU Youth Mobility Scheme.

In fact, he backed-away from the idea – or more accurately he certainly backed-away from the term.

Interestingly he said they didn’t have ‘plans’. He did not say it would not happen – or that something similar would not happen.

In fact, there were other comments that suggest something else – something similar – could happen.

Because he also said:

“…it does mean a closer relationship on a number of fronts, including the economy, including defence, including exchanges…”

There reference to exchanges is significant.

There are already many existing exchange programmes in place across Europe. These can be limited-duration working visas for young people – allowing travel, work, study, etc.

One example is the Trainee Exchange Programme between Switzerland and Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the USA.

It allows young people (aged under 30 or under 35 for some nations) from these countries to spend 18 months working in Switzerland to develop their professional and language skills.

So exchanges isn’t just an empty term – in political circles it means something. There were further comments (that we refer to below) that make it seem there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

IS THIS A REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC??

Possibly. But it is far too soon to celebrate anything.

A key point is that this is the discussion of movement – not the stagnation that has been the hallmark of the last few years.

The German Ambassador to London, Miguel Berger, spoke after the meeting, and gave away a little more:

“we have the possibility for [British] people to live and work in the European Union – and also [the possibility of] youth mobility.”

In another interview the Ambassador also said:

“We hear over and over the argument that [youth mobility] is freedom of movement when it is not, as it is based on visa requirements and limited time periods. People leave after a set time.”

Scholz himself also told reporters that:

“The contacts between our societies, between Germans and people in the UK, have declined massively after Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to change that; if you know each other very well you understand each other better,”

There is clearly motivation on the German side. And remember what a huge force Germany is within the EU.

So the subject seems to be very far from closed and one that the German government wishes to keep investigating.

Hot on the heals of these statements is news that the EU itself is working on an updated proposal for some kind of new youth exchange / mobility agreement for the EU and UK.

The German Ambassador went on to add:

“I would say all 27 EU countries would favour a youth mobility scheme [with the UK]”

This is a really big step and if something was agreed at an UK-EU level it could lead to some really big changes in seasonal work opportunities.

It’s very strong language. You can see quote in context here:

IS THAT REALISTIC?

We all know that the UK is going to be very cautious about freedom of movement – the new Government does not want to look like they are reversing Brexit.

And a conversation about a UK-German treaty doesn’t mean that something will happen for Brits in Switzerland.

But all of these changes in tone are part of a series of steps to get the UK closer to mainland Europe.

If an exchange deal was struck with Germany, it’s likely similar deals could be struck with other EU member states – and possibly with the EU itself.

Some kind of short-term Visa for young people travelling, working and studying would hardly reverse Brexit.

It isn’t a return to freedom of movement of people – the UK could not agree to that in the current political climate. But it’s a very interesting development.

The important step for ski instructors would be what would probably follow this initial change.

Because once something happens in the EU, traditionally the Swiss are inclined to agree to something similar. And within certain circles of Swiss politics it is acknowledged that the absence of UK seasonal workers has hindered the Swiss tourist industry.

Switzerland is outside the EU but the nature of the borderless movement in the Schengen Area (to which Switzerland belongs) means that the Swiss tend to follow the general direction of the EU on matters like immigration and movement of people.

So some sort of work permit for Brits could re-emerge.

It would be politically low risk and mutually beneficial.

As ever we will be watching the situation as it develops.

And given the speed of the German treaty – promised in just six months – we could see a lot of pieces slotting into place relatively quickly…