EU officials want every 18-year-old on the Continent to be given a free inter-rail pass to fight Brexit fallout

EU OFFICIALS want every 18 year-old on the Continent to be given a free inter-rail pass to fight the fallout from Brexit.

Draft proposals reveal the European Parliament’s chief Budget negotiator wants an estimated £2 billion to be set aside for the project in 2018.

Powerful Romanian MEP Siegfried Muresan said it would be a “key component in increasing European consciousness and identity, especially in the face of threats such as populism and the spread of misinformation”.

In an opening salvo of a battle to set priorities for next year, he said the European Parliament “intends to secure adequate financing for the programme in the 2018 budget.”

The idea was first mooted last year by German MEP Manfred Weber – who said teens should be given a month-long pass worth £340 on their 18th birthday.

Currently, 300,000 people use InterRail tickets each year – exploring up to 30 countries from Bosnia to Belgium on the one ticket.

Commission officials have privately insisted it will cost too much money and have instead suggested funding a scheme for school kids across Europe to visit Brussels.

But the call from Mr Muresan will pile pressure the European Commission to act.

Mr Muresan is part of the powerful EPP Group in the European Parliament which includes Commission President Jean Claude Juncker.

Tory backbencher Jacob Rees-Mogg last night said: “Bribing people with their own money to get on a train that’s hitting the buffers doesn’t seem to be very prudent.”

Mr Muresan’s report emerged as MEPs urged member states to “show political will” and pave the way for an EU Army by setting up a “common security and defence policy”.

And the MEPs urged the EU to consider future military links with the UK “should the country decide to leave the Union”.