Zarah ChoudharyThe Institute of Directors is calling on the Government to negotiate a UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme to address mobility and skills challenges for businesses.
The proposed scheme would allow 18-30-year-olds to work and travel freely between each jurisdiction for up to two years, with the potential to improve UK-EU relations.
A May 2024 IoD member survey found that 50% of business leaders believe such a scheme would benefit their organisation, while only 2% see it as a disadvantage.
The most supported reciprocal elements of an agreement among members are mobility for research, internships, study, and travel (89%), student exchange (86%), and work, traineeships, and volunteering (84%).
Additionally, 35% of business leaders think an improved trade deal with the EU would significantly boost business confidence in 2025.
Emma Rowland, trade policy advisor for the Institute of Directors, said: “The UK’s trading relationship with the EU remains one of the biggest barriers to business growth, and so progress on resetting relations must be accelerated.
“The EU has put youth mobility with the UK on the negotiating table, and whilst the UK government has so far been reluctant to cross its red line on freedom of movement, there is strong support amongst IoD members for a balanced reciprocal Youth Mobility Scheme.
“The UK joining the Youth Mobility Scheme would be particularly beneficial for sectors like hospitality and retail, which typically employ large numbers of young people and have struggled to find workers following the loss of movement of potential recruits between the EU.
“Business leaders support closer cross-border collaboration with the EU in general, for instance through valuable schemes such as the Erasmus programme, as a way of gaining cultural and language experience.
“Greater transfer of ideas through research and exchange of workers could help support innovation and productivity, and build deeper ties with our international partners.”
