Before ministers broke up for the summer recess MP for Ealing, Central and Acton, Rupa Huq, wasted no time in questioning the new Prime Minister.

At the first opportunity, Huq questioned Keir Starmer on mobility for young people across Europe during a question-and-answer Prime Ministerial statement.

Huq praised Starmer, asserting: "It was incredibly pleasing to see the Prime Minister both at NATO and welcoming leaders from across our continent to Blenheim Palace in a historic moment for a reset with Europe after the disastrous legacy that the departing government left behind."

The Labour MP, who herself did a study abroad year in Strasbourg France while working at the European Parliament in the 1990s, then asked whether the new government would look into repairing youth mobility for students and similar in her words "for its soft power, cultural exchange and growth boosting properties that have been so valued as we're now in a post-Erasmus era."

In response, Starmer, the first Labour prime minister to take questions from MPs across the whole of the House in 14 years, said: "The reset with our European allies was well received and there was clearly an appetite to work in a different and better way with the UK.

"I think that will stand us in good stead as we go forward. We did have discussions about a closer relationship with our EU allies.

"He was at pains though to point out "that does not mean rejoining the EU [or] going back into the structures of the EU…but with the right framework in mind."

Huq says she has 'consistently' supported speaking out on behalf of her constituents for closer ties with Europe in the wake of the Brexit and is a firm advocate for the UK to repair its relationship with the wider European community and vowed to continue.

She adds: "The atmosphere in the Commons has totally changed since the election. During the end of last term an atmosphere of gloom prevailed with no one admitting Tory Brexit wasn't working.

"Boris Johnson had negotiated a paper thin Brexit deal and every time suggestions for improvement were offered Conservative ministers had their fingers in their ears.

"How refreshing to see someone at Prime Ministerial level determined to make our relationship with our closest and biggest trading partner work at every level."

The House of Commons returns from recess on 2 September.

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