The new Labour government has confirmed it has “no plans” to rejoin a student scheme backed by the European Union. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said there was nothing in the pipeline in plans to take Britain back into the EU’s Erasmus+ scheme.
Britain left the student exchange program as part of Brexit, a decision which prompted anger from academics, youth groups and campaigners.
Previously, London mayor Sadiq Khan signed a petition by the UK branch of the European Movement for the UK to rejoin the scheme but now hopes appear to be lost.
A Government spokesperson told Politico: “We will work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties, secure a broad-based security pact and tackle barriers to trade for the whole of the U.K.
“We also continue to work with the higher education sector to ensure our world-leading universities continue to attract the brightest and best and support our economy, however, we have no plans to rejoin the Erasmus Scheme.”
Sir Keir flew to Berlin on Tuesday (August 27) to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss relations between the two countries and how they could move forward.
Here is everything we know about the scheme:
What is the Erasmus scheme?
Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme offering opportunities for EU students to receive education and training in Europe. Its approximate budget of €26.2 billion (roughly £22.5 billion) is nearly double the funding compared with its predecessor programme, which piloted in 2014 and ended in 2020.
The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion and the green and digital transitions. Moreover, it helps promote young people’s participation in democratic life.
Young people are offered opportunities to study abroad in various subjects across partner universities. However, the programme's greatest appeal is that it can assist with advancing language skills. Study periods can last anywhere between two and 12 months – and can even last for 24 in some cases.
Erasmus is an abbreviation for the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students.
When did the UK leave?
Erasmus was replaced in September 2021 with the Turing scheme. The Government has called it “a truly global programme with every country in the world eligible to partner with UK education settings”.
However, this decision has meant a limited number of opportunities from 2021 onwards from Erasmus have remained open to the UK, according to the European Commission site.
It said: "The UK will be a non-associated third country in the new programme. As such a limited number of opportunities from 2021 onwards will remain open to UK participation because they are open to institutions or individuals from all over the world."
