Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has acknowledged there will be “trade-offs” for Britain as it moves closer to the European Union, as ministers prepare to sign a youth mobility deal at a summit in Brussels on 20 November. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Nandy was asked about the terms of the scheme, including whether a cap of 150,000 a year floated by Brussels would be acceptable.

What the draft deal says

A draft summit text seen by Reuters and AFP would let young people aged 18 to 34 live in Britain or the EU for up to three years to work, study, volunteer, work as au pairs or travel. The draft sets no cap on numbers: Britain is reported to have offered 50,000 places a year, while Brussels has asked for 150,000. It also commits both sides to talks on giving EU students equal treatment on tuition fees, with the aim of concluding negotiations within six months. Britain is also set to rejoin the Erasmus+ student exchange programme in 2027.

The political row

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa at the summit, where deals on food and drink, emissions trading and youth mobility are expected to be finalised. Mr Burnham has reminded his Cabinet to speak with one voice on the EU relationship. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticised the scheme, telling the BBC it was “opening the door to uncontrolled immigration”. Downing Street has said the Prime Minister “isn’t proposing a return to freedom of movement”, after Mr Burnham said last month he wanted an “honest discussion” about the issue. Sources: Clacton and Frinton Gazette (PA) and Morningstar (PA / Alliance News).