Brexit doesn’t have to mean the end for young Brits working in the EU

On 24th June 2016, a surprised looking Boris Johnson, standing on the Vote Leave podium, sought to assure young people of their futures post-Brexit.

“I want to speak young people who feel this decision means isolationism, I think the opposite is true… our young people will continue to have a wonderful future as Europeans”.

Johnson was right to address young Brits concerns — most of whom feel it’s a great shame they can no longer live and work in Europe with ease. Maybe that’s why it’s estimated 73% of those aged 18–24 voted to remain.

I too, feel this is a shame. Working abroad is an incredible experience.

My time working in Canada in a ski shop wouldn’t have been the same at the Milton Keynes Snowdome, as great as that slope is. Working as a delivery driver for Dominos in Australia was immeasurably better than working for Deliveroo in the UK. Not only does Brisbane average 28 degrees in January, you can also get a large pizza for $5. Bargain.

These experiences got me thinking. Brits can go to Canada and Australia to live and work with ease. That’s thanks to the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5). This reciprocal agreement means Brits aged 18–30 can apply to work in nine countries for two years and vice versa. You don’t need a pre-arranged job — just no dependents and £2,500 in the bank (my student overdraft came to the rescue).

The scheme is a simple arrangement meaning thousands of Brits can experience the joys of working abroad. Britain also benefits from thousands of young people arriving from across the world, offering friendship and diversity.

Of course, for the last 30 years there was no need for the Youth Mobility Scheme to extend to Europe. Young Brits could work in the EU with no restrictions and vice versa — a massive benefit of EU membership. Brexit means an end to the free movement of people, but there’s no point in crying over spilt milk. We can create a new milkshake for young Brits and Europeans wanting to work in each other’s countries.

Extending the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme to the EU is the perfect way to give our young people the chance to work in the EU and respect the referendum simultaneously. Anyone who voted for Brexit because of immigration can rest easy: with short-term youth mobility programmes, there’s no need to kick up a fuss about pressure on health services, house prices, or primary school places.

A working holiday visa arrangement with the EU would be no different from the agreement we have in place with nine other countries; it’s tried and tested, easy to implement, and uncontroversial.

By agreeing on a Youth Mobility Scheme with the EU, young Europeans can benefit from working in the UK, while our youth can enjoy ski seasons in the Alps, long summers on sun-kissed European islands, or any other European dream they conjure up.

Our young people can, at last, have a wonderful future as Europeans.