21 May 2025, 08:22

By Nadine Goldfoot

The UK’s new agreement with the EU, and the announcement that both sides will ‘work towards’ a Youth Mobility Scheme, marks an encouraging moment of re-engagement after years of post-Brexit tension.

But for UK businesses, it’s not just a diplomatic milestone—it’s a practical counterweight to a tightening immigration system.

Just last week, the UK government’s Immigration White Paper laid out sweeping reforms: a higher skills threshold for work visas, tougher language requirements, and a 10-year wait for settlement.

These changes aim to reduce net migration, but they also reduce flexibility and increase costs for employers.

For already-stretched sectors like hospitality, construction, and social care, where shortages are deep and training pipelines are long, there are few quick fixes. In this context, a well-designed youth mobility scheme offers........

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