The Government is reportedly planning a scheme to allow young Britons to live and work in the European Union and for young EU citizens to do the same in the UK.
The Times reports plans are being drawn up in time for agreement at a summit in London on 19 May.
The Times says ‘tens of thousands’ of young EU workers and students would be able to come to the UK to live and work for two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
The reciprocal scheme would allow young Britons, aged 18-30, similar access to countries in the EU.
If the deal goes ahead, it would would make it easier for companies, including tour operators, to hire UK staff and post them in roles in the EU.
ABTA said it had been pushing for a deal and will continue to do so.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “Youth mobility arrangements with EU countries would ease some of the staffing pressures travel businesses are facing in resort. It’s now much trickier to hire UK staff and post them in EU roles; each country has a different process that takes time and can be pretty costly.
“We’ve been advocating for youth mobility arrangements for some time now, and we do believe our argument is gaining traction across the parties. It is clearly a big political issue that is going to be wrapped up in negotiations around the UK-EU relationship. We’ll continue to push this issue with the Government and with MPs of all parties.”
