Abta endorses London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s call for enhanced youth mobility between the UK and EU, highlighting post-Brexit challenges.
- Sadiq Khan advocates for a youth mobility agreement to ease movement and work opportunities for young people post-Brexit.
- The tourism sector has seen a significant decrease in UK workers in EU roles after Brexit, prompting calls for change.
- Abta has been actively lobbying for improved youth mobility to benefit the tourism industry and the broader economy.
- Political figures, including Sadiq Khan and others, are increasingly supporting initiatives to address youth mobility concerns.
Abta has expressed support for London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s recommendations aimed at improving youth mobility between the UK and EU. Khan has suggested either establishing a youth mobility scheme or revising post-Brexit visa regulations, which currently impede travel and employment for young individuals across Europe.
With a notable 70% decline in UK workers occupying tourism roles within the EU since Brexit, the need for action has become critical. Abta has been vocal in its advocacy for youth mobility, engaging in several discussions to address current constraints.
Recently, Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s director of public affairs, participated in a roundtable discussion with shadow tourism minister Barbara Keeley. Further conversations have involved Baroness Twycross from the House of Lords and shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock, alongside receptive Liberal Democrat MPs Wera Hobhouse and Jamie Stone, highlighting cross-party interest in the issue.
Petherbridge noted that traction is being gained on the topic, as emphasised by the government’s mention of youth mobility in the autumn statement. He stated that a youth mobility scheme could benefit the entire UK tourism industry, encompassing inbound, outbound, and domestic sectors, while also positively affecting the wider economy.
Abta remains committed to advocating for this initiative, with plans for further engagement with political figures such as aviation minister Anthony Browne MP. Petherbridge emphasised that the scheme represents an ‘off-the-shelf’ policy solution advantageous to all stakeholders, citing support from prominent political figures as a promising development.
Abta and political leaders are aligned in their efforts to improve youth mobility, recognising its potential economic benefits.
