Germany ‘optimistic’ over deal to allow young EU migrants to UK

BERLIN: A top German diplomat has said he is “really optimistic” that Britain will agree a deal to allow young EU migrants to live and work in the UK.

Miguel Berger, the German ambassador to the UK, said on Friday he was confident the UK and EU were “moving in a good direction” in agreeing to a youth visa scheme enabling under-30s from Europe to stay in the UK.

British officials are more sceptical, despite a change in the government’s tone from publicly declaring that there are “no plans” for such a youth mobility scheme to one in which senior ministers have opened the door to negotiations.

But there is concern among some within the government that the EU is talking up the prospect of a deal ahead of the first UK-EU summit since Brexit next month, which is designed to pave the way for a “reset” in relations with the bloc.

It followed suggestions that Britain was open to a “one in, one out” scheme. This would involve capping the number of young EU citizens coming to the UK so they do not exceed British people going to Europe to ensure no increase in net migration.

“Lots of this is being fuelled by EU speculation,” said a source.

Mr Berger said: “I am now pretty optimistic that we are moving in a good direction. It would make it possible for young people with parents with a lower income to experience the possibility to work abroad, to learn a language, and we would like to have this in both directions.”