UK Public Backing for Youth Mobility Scheme Presses Prime Minister Andy Burnham

A nationally representative survey of 3,007 UK adults, conducted by Number Cruncher Politics from 2 to 16 June 2026, shows 46 % would vote to re-join the EU, 29 % would stay out and the rest are undecided. Support for a reciprocal youth-mobility programme for 18-30-year-olds is 57 % versus 12 % opposition. Majorities also back an expanded UK-France asylum arrangement and closer trade, defence, health and agriculture links, while 34 % want a new referendum “as soon as possible” and 21 % oppose any further vote.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, leading a Labour government that has ruled out re-joining the customs union, single market or allowing free movement, faces pressure to demonstrate a “bolder” reset of UK-EU relations. The manifesto red lines were reaffirmed in August, limiting deeper integration, yet the poll indicates public appetite for pragmatic ties, especially a youth-mobility scheme building on the former Erasmus+ programme.

The Independent

• Re-join EU: 46 % yes, 29 % no, 25 % undecided.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• Brexit assessment: 57 % failure, 21 % success, 22 % undecided.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• Youth mobility: 57 % support, 12 % oppose, 31 % undecided.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• Free movement: 26 % support as EU-membership condition, 12 % oppose, majority undecided.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• New referendum: 34 % want soon, 28 % prefer later, 21 % against, 16 % undecided.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• Scaled-up UK-France asylum deal: 55 % support.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• “A Youth Mobility agreement would restore opportunities to a generation who were denied them by Brexit.” — Jake Puddle, Research Director, British Future

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

• “Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, said: “Andy Burnham has pragmatic permission from voters to seek closer ties with Europe and to strike a deal on youth mobility this autumn.” — Sunder Katwala, Director, British Future

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

The poll shows clear majorities for cooperation but also a sizable undecided segment on free movement and a new referendum. No other contemporaneous surveys are cited, leaving the extent of consensus on a full EU-membership reversal uncertain.

Public want closer UK-EU ties than ‘Red Lines’ allow, but rejoin support fragile – new research

The outcome will shape whether the government can expand practical cooperation while respecting the manifesto red lines.

The Independent