Industry steps up campaign against Brexit ban on overseas staff

The organisations are calling on the UK government to expand the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) to European Union countries to fill the estimated 69% drop in UK staff working in the EU since Brexit took full effect.

Abta and UKinbound want the issue considered as part of the upcoming review of the UK-EU trade deal in 2026. The two organisations spoke with UK MPs at an event in parliament on Tuesday (12 September) to highlight the matter.

The YMS is already in place for countries including Australia, New Zealand and Japan. 

Joss Croft, UKinbound chief executive, said: “The Youth Mobility Scheme already exists – we now need to see this expanded to more countries, especially in the EU. 

“This isn’t an immigration issue as there is no right to remain – but this is a concrete way that young people can learn a new language, develop lifelong associations with the host countries and gain new skills that will benefit them throughout their career.”

“It is important the government proactively pushes this programme bilaterally and across the EU, with an opportunity to extend this further by including YMS in any future trade deals.”