Case for a youth mobility scheme with European countries discussed by Lords

Debate

The Bishop of St Albans will put forward the debate.

Members speaking

Contributing members included:

• Lord Balfe (Conservative), former Member of the European Parliament
• Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative), former chief of staff at the Department for Exiting the EU
• Lord Moraes (Labour), former Member of the European Parliament
• Baroness Smith of Newnham (Liberal Democrat), professor of European politics at Cambridge University.

Opening the debate, the Bishop of St Albans said:

'Quite apart from the fact reintroducing youth mobility and cultural exchanges would be expedient for our foreign policy, there is the sheer demand for the restoration of these opportunities for our young people and the broader public.'

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate added:

'The ability to study, work and gain international experience in each other’s countries has been significantly diminished. This is not merely an inconvenience: it is a loss of potential, a restriction of opportunity and a barrier to future prosperity.'

Baroness Twycross (Labour), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, responded on behalf of the government:

'The government have been clear that we do not have any plans for a youth mobility scheme, but we will look at the EU’s proposals on a range of issues. The government have been elected on a commitment not to return to free movement.'

Catch up

Watch and read the debate  

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript 

Explore background information  

• Read the House of Lords Library briefing on this debate (to be published 28 January).
• Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government. 

Image: Pexels / Marta Branco