PLANS for Britain to sign up to a free movement scheme for young people in Europe were seen as the start of a Brexit betrayal last night.
Whitehall officials were said to be working on allowing university students and those on technical courses to take part.
The proposal is considered a diluted form of an EU plan that allows 18 to 30-year-olds from the UK and the European Union to reside in their chosen country for a maximum of four years.
But opponents fear it is a sign Brexit is being unpicked.
Matt Vickers, the Shadow Minister at the Home Office, expressed his opinion by stating that an increase in free movement and migration is not beneficial for the nation. He added that whenever Labour engages in negotiations, the UK ends up on the losing side.
Concerns have been raised over keeping the high number of students coming from the EU in check.
The PM has repeatedly said there are no plans to push ahead with a post-Brexit youth mobility scheme.
But civil servants are looking at finding a middle ground with possible solutions targeting education.
No 10 last night said: “Our position on youth mobility is clear and remains unchanged.”
Early-stage discussions are understood to be part of a reset with Europe that would also allow closer links on trade and defence matters.
Downing Street last night said that closer ties with the EU would help with the Government’s number one mission of growth.
A spokesman added: “It is in the UK’s national interest to have more co-operation with the EU.”
And on the fifth anniversary of leaving the bloc, former PM Boris Johnson last night said it was time to cash in on Brexit’s opportunities.
He added: “Now is the time to double down on Brexit and take advantage of our freedoms.”
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