The Prime Minister emphasises ambition for closer EU ties but confirms no plans for a youth mobility agreement.

Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has reiterated his commitment to an “ambitious” reset of the UK’s relationship with the European Union, although he has firmly ruled out any plans for a youth mobility scheme.

Following recent talks in Paris and Berlin, Starmer expressed his seriousness about improving the UK’s standing with the EU, noting that while his government is eager to deepen relations, key red lines remain in place. “I want to be ambitious about what we can achieve, but this does not mean rejoining the EU or returning to the single market, customs union, or free movement,” Starmer clarified. These, he stressed, are the non-negotiable boundaries within the reset framework.

Starmer’s government has been proactive in its outreach to EU leaders, including several visits to Berlin and Paris, as well as a summit with European colleagues in Washington. These efforts demonstrate a clear desire for a more collaborative approach with the EU, but Starmer made it clear that the UK will not backtrack on issues such as freedom of movement.

While the EU had proposed a youth mobility agreement, which some have suggested could be a major part of future negotiations, Starmer confirmed there are no current plans to pursue such a scheme. “We have no plans for a youth mobility scheme,” Starmer stated, declining to elaborate on the reasons behind this decision.

Despite this, he emphasised that the negotiations with the EU will be handled with care and seriousness. “We are very serious about this reset, but it needs to be done in the proper way,” he added.