Rebuilding Youth Mobility: LibDem MPs champion UK–EU Youth Exchange Scheme

As the UK seeks to rebuild constructive ties with the European Union, one of the most tangible and people-focused areas for progress is youth mobility. In a recent debate in the House of Commons on 5 June 2025, MPs discussed how vital it is to re-establish opportunities for young people to travel, learn, and collaborate across borders. Our own, Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat Member for Bath, made a strong case for the government to prioritise the development of a new UK–EU Youth Exchange Programme.

Drawing on her experience in Bath, Wera noted that hat there is “cross-party agreement in welcoming a new youth experience scheme” and continued that her “young constituents in Bath are unequivocal that they want the UK to join Erasmus+ again, because that gives them the best opportunities for study, training and internships abroad.”

Wera's comments reflect also that the loss of simple cross-border travel—once possible with just an ID card—has been a major setback for students, schools, and young people across Europe. She has called in the past for collective visa solutions for school groups, which could restore the ease of organising educational visits and exchanges. Her comments reflected the lived experience of many in her constituency, particularly in university and language-learning communities that have been disproportionately affected by post-Brexit barriers.

In the same debate, Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, pressed the minister for a timeline but received no firm assurance.

Our MP's position aligns squarely with Liberal Democrat policy, which has long advocated for the creation of a UK–EU Youth Mobility Scheme. We believe that enabling young people to study, volunteer, and work in EU countries is not only beneficial for their personal and professional development, but also a crucial part of rebuilding Britain’s relationship with Europe. As our Chair stated recently, “Youth exchange is not a luxury. It is an investment in understanding, peace, and opportunity.” 

The Liberal Democrat European Group continues to support this call and urges the government to move swiftly towards practical arrangements that bring young people back into the heart of European cooperation.