LONDON — The EU could modify its plan for a youth mobility scheme with the U.K. to make the idea more politically palatable to Keir Starmer, under an approach being discussed in Brussels.

Changes to the original blueprint presented by the European Commission in the spring might include caps on numbers, shorter stays in their host country, or tighter eligibility criteria, EU officials told POLITICO. They were granted anonymity to speak freely.

The proposal could also be renamed to give it a fresh political start.

Brussels is keen to make it easier for young people to live abroad, but the idea has received a cold reception in London and the Labour government has repeatedly said it has “no plans” to adopt it.

The policy idea — a major priority in both Brussels and Berlin — has thrown an unexpected spanner in the works for the new British prime minister's “reset” of relations with the continent.

EU member countries are currently finalizing a mobility negotiating mandate for the bloc's executive to formally open talks with London. Brussels is expected to propose a start to negotiations next year once a new Commission has found its feet.

Under the original proposal presented by the Commission to member states in the spring, people aged 30 and under would be able to move across the channel for up to four years. They would need to obtain some kind of visa or permit and have health insurance and the means to support themselves.

One of the EU officials told POLITICO that once talks began aspects of the scheme would be open to negotiation, including timeframes for how long young people would be able to stay in their host country.

EU officials have characterized establishing a youth mobility scheme as a “quid pro quo” for Keir Starmer's own policy priorities on Europe and hinted that talks on other issues like mutual recognition of professional qualifications might not happen without it.

But the U.K. government is politically wary of pursuing a scheme which could impact migration statistics or some in government have suggested is politically reminiscent of free movement.