Starmer has opened the door for more EU students to live in Britain under new rules being considered for a freedom of movement reset.
The UK could soon see more young people from European Union member states thanks to a “cultural enrichment programme” which would bring students to Britain for set-length courses.
Although the scheme would only apply to certain courses, it would give more European students the option to travel to the UK.
This comes after net migration hit an “astonishing” new record of 906,000 last year, heaping more pressure on housing, schools and GP surgeries.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Britain’s immigration crisis has led to “immense and lasting harm”.
The Office for National Statistics said net migration to the UK hit 906,000 in the year to June 2023, amid an influx of foreign students, a spike in non-EU workers, particularly in the health and social care sectors and the introduction of the Ukraine and Hong Kong refugee visa schemes.
Starmer has repeatedly stated his desire to repair relations with the EU and a close working relationship with Ireland.
The Prime Minister has built up a close relationship with the Irish leader Simon Harris since his own General Election win in July.
The programme would come in return for changes to the standards regime that would allow British lawyers to practice across European countries, the Sunday Times reported.
A Whitehall source told the newspaper: “There is a growing realisation that one of the few levers the Government actually has to pull that will have any significant impact on growth is securing closer ties to our biggest trading bloc – the EU.”
Starmer has repeatedly said the government has “no plans for a youth mobility scheme” and dismissed the bloc’s offer to increase freedom of movement. But many sources say ministers are seeking to find the “maximum flexibility within the red lines”.
He has tasked Labour minisiter Nick Thomas-Symonds with finding ways to pursue closer ties with the EU and turn over a new leaf after Brexit.
A more general youth-mobility scheme would allow British and European young adults to live abroad for a few years on the condition they were able to support themselves.
