A Generation Left Behind: The Real Impact of Brexit on Young People in the UK
Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, young people in the UK have been left to grapple with the profound consequences of Brexit—consequences that are not just economic or political, but deeply personal. For many young Brits, the freedom to live, work, study, and travel across Europe represented far more than just a set of policy perks; it was a gateway to a world of opportunities, a source of growth, cultural exchange, and, perhaps most importantly, hope.
Now, in the post-Brexit reality, it feels like all of that has been stripped away. The isolation and reduced opportunities that have come as a result are not just a loss—they feel like a bereavement, a severing of ties with a world that young people were once fully part of. Reconnecting with our European neighbours is not only a desirable move, it is a must. The future of an entire generation depends on it.
1. The Loss of Freedom of Movement: Trapped on an Island
For decades, young people in the UK enjoyed the freedom to move across 27 European countries without restrictions. Freedom of movement was a pillar of the European Union that provided access to a vast job market, educational opportunities, and the ability to experience life in different cultures. It wasn’t just about cheap weekend getaways to Paris or Amsterdam—it was about the chance to explore, grow, and thrive in a world without borders.
Since Brexit, that freedom has been ripped away. Young people are now confined by bureaucratic red tape, visas, and barriers that previous generations never had to face. For many, the dream of living and working in Berlin, studying in Barcelona, or volunteering in Athens is no longer feasible. The opportunities that once seemed endless now feel narrow and out of reach, as the UK becomes increasingly isolated from its closest neighbours.
2. A Shrinking Job Market: Fewer Opportunities, More Competition
Brexit has led to a shrinking job market, both at home and abroad. Before the UK left the EU, young people could apply for jobs across the continent without restriction, tapping into a European economy that offered diverse opportunities. Now, with the UK outside the EU, many of those doors have slammed shut. Companies in Europe are less inclined to hire UK nationals because of the complex legalities involved, and even internships or entry-level positions that once offered a first step on the career ladder have become harder to access.
At home, the UK economy has been hit hard by the repercussions of Brexit, with job opportunities dwindling and competition increasing. Young people are paying the price, finding themselves in a market that offers fewer options, lower wages, and more precarious working conditions. The promise of a thriving post-Brexit "global Britain" has not materialised for this generation—it’s become a battleground of lost potential.
3. Education Suffers: Limited Access to Learning and Exchange
One of the greatest losses felt by young people is the decimation of opportunities to study and learn across Europe. The UK’s withdrawal from the Erasmus+ program—a scheme that allowed students to study, train, and work abroad—has been particularly devastating. Erasmus+ wasn’t just about academic enrichment; it was about opening minds, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and building lifelong relationships across borders. The opportunities it provided were priceless, yet they were discarded in the name of a so-called “independent” Britain.
Now, young people face the financial and logistical hurdles of studying abroad, with fewer scholarships, more expensive tuition fees, and limited exchange programs. The ability to immerse oneself in a different culture, learn a new language, or gain international experience has become an unattainable dream for many. As Europe’s students and future leaders continue to collaborate and learn from each other, British students are being left behind, increasingly isolated on their academic and cultural island.
4. Cultural Isolation: Losing More Than Just Opportunities
The cultural exchange that came with being part of the EU was invaluable. It allowed young people to engage with new ideas, develop empathy, and see the world from different perspectives. Whether it was through travel, work, or study, the experience of living in a different country fostered a sense of European identity—one that transcended nationality and politics. This sense of belonging to something larger, of being part of a shared European project, has been lost.
The post-Brexit reality is one of cultural isolation. The UK is no longer part of the conversations that shape Europe’s future, and young people are disconnected from the vibrant cultural exchange that their European counterparts continue to enjoy. This isolation has a long-term cost—not just in missed opportunities, but in the erosion of a generation’s global outlook. Instead of building bridges, Brexit has built walls, and young people are being made to pay for the mistakes of an older generation.
5. A Generation Betrayed: Brexit Wasn’t Their Choice
It’s important to remember that the majority of young people didn’t vote for Brexit. In the 2016 referendum, 75% of 18–24-year-olds voted to remain in the European Union. The decision to leave was made by an older demographic, many of whom have never had to face the consequences of Brexit as young people do today. For the young, it feels like a betrayal—a future they didn’t choose, imposed on them by those who will never have to navigate the diminished landscape it has created.
The result is a growing sense of disillusionment and frustration. Young people have lost faith in a political system that doesn’t reflect their views, and in the promises made by politicians who sold Brexit as a “great opportunity” but have failed to deliver on any of those promises. The sense of loss is profound, and it’s hard to escape the feeling that a whole generation has been sacrificed on the altar of nationalism and short-sighted politics.
6. The Need to Reconnect: A Generation’s Future at Stake
The only way forward is to reconnect with our European neighbours. The UK cannot afford to continue down the path of isolationism, especially when it’s young people who are suffering the most. Rebuilding relationships with Europe is not about undoing Brexit, but about forging new partnerships, agreements, and opportunities that allow the next generation to once again access the benefits of being part of a larger community.
Rejoining programs like Erasmus+, creating new work and study exchange opportunities, and fostering cultural collaborations are essential steps in ensuring that young people don’t remain trapped by the legacy of Brexit. The future of the UK depends on the ability of its young people to engage with the world, to innovate, to collaborate, and to be part of the global conversation.
Conclusion: Reconnecting for a Better Future
Brexit has left young people in the UK facing a future of diminished opportunities, isolation, and cultural disconnection. For a generation that didn’t vote for this outcome, the sense of loss is palpable. The promise of freedom, opportunity, and collaboration with Europe has been replaced by barriers, red tape, and exclusion.
But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Reconnecting with Europe—whether through education, work, or cultural partnerships—is a must. It’s not about politics anymore; it’s about a generation’s future, and about giving young people the opportunities they deserve to thrive in a world that values openness, diversity, and cooperation. The time to act is now, before we lose another generation to the false promises of Brexit.
1. Impact on Freedom of Movement and Job Market
Loss of Opportunities in Europe Before Brexit, UK citizens had the right to live and work in any of the 27 EU countries without needing a visa or work permit. This freedom opened doors to millions of job opportunities across Europe. According to the British Council, more than 1.3 million Britons were living in the EU before Brexit, many of them working or studying in those countries. This has become far more complicated post-Brexit, as UK citizens are now treated as third-country nationals, often requiring work visas to move across borders for employment.
EU Nationals Leaving the UK
On the flip side, many EU nationals who contributed significantly to the UK economy have returned to their home countries or moved to other EU countries since Brexit. A report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in 2021 showed that more than 200,000 EU citizens left the UK in the first year after Brexit. This has caused a reduction in talent, particularly in industries like healthcare, technology, and hospitality, which had heavily relied on EU workers. The job market has contracted in certain sectors, making it harder for young people to find employment or launch their careers in diverse fields.
Higher Costs and Barriers for Studying Abroad
The Turing Scheme, which replaced Erasmus+, is touted by the UK government as a global alternative to Erasmus+, but it lacks key components. Notably, Erasmus+ was a reciprocal program, meaning UK students could study in Europe, and European students could study in the UK. This reciprocal exchange fostered cultural exchange and learning, which the Turing Scheme does not guarantee. Universities UK International stated that the Turing Scheme "doesn’t replicate the cultural exchange element that Erasmus+ provided," highlighting its inadequacies compared to its predecessor.
2. Decline in Study and Learning Opportunities
Loss of Erasmus+ and Educational Mobility
The UK’s exit from the Erasmus+ program has significantly reduced opportunities for British students to study abroad. Erasmus+ had supported more than 200,000 UK students to study in European universities since its inception, according to the
European Commission. A British Council survey conducted in 2020 found that 77% of young people thought that leaving Erasmus+ would be detrimental to their career prospects.
This loss is profound: under Erasmus+, not only did students benefit from subsidised tuition and living costs, but they also gained invaluable experience living in different cultures, learning languages, and making international connections. With Turing only focusing on one-way exchanges, British students are now paying more and navigating bureaucratic hurdles to access European education.
Fee Increases for European Universities
Since Brexit, EU universities have increased tuition fees for UK students who now have to pay "international" student rates. In countries like the Netherlands and Germany, which used to be affordable for British students, fees have skyrocketed. For example, a UK student attending a university in the Netherlands now pays up to €10,000 per year for undergraduate programs, compared to the €2,000 they would have paid as an EU citizen.
3. Economic Impact on Youth Employment
Economic Losses Brexit is predicted to have long-term economic consequences that disproportionately affect younger generations. The London School of Economics (LSE) reported that the UK’s economy is expected to be smaller by 2030 due to Brexit, meaning fewer jobs and lower wages, especially for those just entering the workforce. The UK in a Changing Europe think tank has also noted that Brexit is likely to depress wages for younger workers, particularly in sectors like finance, tech, and creative industries that relied heavily on cross-border collaborations and European talent.
The Creative Industry Takes a Hit
The UK's cultural and creative industries are estimated to be worth £115.9 billion to the economy, but Brexit has hindered this sector's growth. The Creative Industries Federation has warned that Brexit would cause a "serious disruption" to young people’s prospects in creative fields, particularly music, art, and film, where freedom of movement and cultural exchanges were integral to success. Musicians, for instance, now face increased costs and visa requirements to tour across Europe, a process that was previously seamless under EU regulations.
4. Voices of Support
Student and Youth Organisations
Youth organisations and student unions have been vocal about the devastating impact of Brexit on young people.
NUS UK (National Union of Students) has consistently campaigned for the government to restore reciprocal educational exchanges and address the limitations of the Turing Scheme. According to
Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, NUS UK’s Vice President for Higher Education, "Young people have been ignored in the Brexit process, and they have lost so much in terms of freedom and opportunity."
Political Figures
Politicians across the political spectrum, particularly from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party, have voiced their concerns.
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, stated in 2021 that "the damage Brexit has done to educational opportunities and young people's freedom is immense," and that "the UK should seek to reconnect with the EU in meaningful ways to restore the rights lost."
In Scotland,
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, has frequently criticised Brexit’s impact on young people, stating, "Brexit is robbing our young people of their future opportunities and the ability to broaden their horizons through studying and working in Europe."
Cultural Figures and Artists
British artists, musicians, and cultural figures have expressed outrage over the Brexit-imposed restrictions. Musician Damon Albarn, frontman of the band Blur and co-creator of Gorillaz, described Brexit as a "tragedy for young people" in an interview, highlighting how the free movement allowed artists to tour and collaborate across Europe with ease, something that has now been "fundamentally compromised."
Conclusion: The Facts Speak for Themselves
The statistics and voices from across the political, educational, and cultural landscapes make it clear: Brexit has created a profound loss for young people in the UK. Freedom of movement, access to education and cultural exchange, job opportunities, and economic prospects have all been dramatically curtailed. This is not just political rhetoric; it’s a reality backed by hard data and lived experience. The argument for reconnecting with Europe is not just about economic gain but about restoring a future that young people deserve—a future where they can learn, work, and grow in an interconnected world.
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