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UK 'committed' to maintaining Erasmus+ exchange scheme UK 'committed' to maintaining Erasmus+ exchange scheme
(about 20 hours later)
DfE says government wants to ensure students can continue to benefit from European exchange schemeDfE says government wants to ensure students can continue to benefit from European exchange scheme
The government has said it is committed to maintaining the UK’s membership of the Erasmus+ programme, which funds opportunities for young people to train and study across Europe, despite shooting down an attempt to make its membership a priority in EU withdrawal negotiations. The government said it is committed to maintaining the UK’s membership of the Erasmus+ programme, which funds opportunities for young people to train and study across Europe, despite shooting down an attempt to make its membership a priority in EU withdrawal negotiations.
A Liberal Democrat-backed amendment to the withdrawal agreement bill, requiring the government to seek continued participation in Erasmus+, was defeated by Conservative MPs, raising fears that the UK could abruptly withdraw from the programme.A Liberal Democrat-backed amendment to the withdrawal agreement bill, requiring the government to seek continued participation in Erasmus+, was defeated by Conservative MPs, raising fears that the UK could abruptly withdraw from the programme.
Supporters of the Erasmus exchange, which each year involves thousands of British students travelling to more than 30 countries, including non-EU members such as Switzerland, defended it on social media. Supporters of the Erasmus exchange, which each year involves around 16,000 British students travelling to more than 30 countries, including non-EU members such as Norway and Serbia, defended it on social media.
Tanja Bueltmann, a professor of migration and diaspora history, tweeted: “Erasmus made me who I am. It allowed me, a working class student with no other means to enable a year abroad, to study at the Univ of Edinburgh. It’s where I got interested in Scottish history and migration. Without Erasmus, I’d not be doing what I do today. This breaks my heart.”Tanja Bueltmann, a professor of migration and diaspora history, tweeted: “Erasmus made me who I am. It allowed me, a working class student with no other means to enable a year abroad, to study at the Univ of Edinburgh. It’s where I got interested in Scottish history and migration. Without Erasmus, I’d not be doing what I do today. This breaks my heart.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “The government is committed to continuing the academic relationship between the UK and the EU, including through the next Erasmus+ programme if it is in our interests to do so. The vote last night does not change that.A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “The government is committed to continuing the academic relationship between the UK and the EU, including through the next Erasmus+ programme if it is in our interests to do so. The vote last night does not change that.
“As we enter negotiations with the EU, we want to ensure that UK and European students can continue to benefit from each other’s world-leading education systems.”“As we enter negotiations with the EU, we want to ensure that UK and European students can continue to benefit from each other’s world-leading education systems.”
Chris Skidmore, the minister for higher education in England, took to Twitter to damp down speculation about the government’s position:Chris Skidmore, the minister for higher education in England, took to Twitter to damp down speculation about the government’s position:
The amendment would have inserted a clause in the withdrawal agreement bill requiring the government to seek continued participation in Erasmus+ on existing terms after Brexit, and to report on the progress of negotiations to parliament. But on Wednesday MPs voted down a second reading of the amendment, by 344 votes to 254. “Erasmus+ participation is protected under the withdrawal agreement and we are open to participation in the new Erasmus successor programme from 2021 – this will be part of future relationship negotiations with the EU once the scheme has been finalised,” Skidmore added.
The Liberal Democrat amendment would have inserted a clause in the withdrawal agreement bill requiring the government to seek continued participation in Erasmus+ on existing terms after Brexit, and to report on the progress of negotiations to parliament. But on Wednesday MPs voted down a second reading of the amendment, by 344 to 254.
The Erasmus result followed a similar defeat for an amendment that sought to keep protections for unaccompanied child refugees in the withdrawal agreement by guaranteeing their right to be reunited with family members in the UK after Brexit.The Erasmus result followed a similar defeat for an amendment that sought to keep protections for unaccompanied child refugees in the withdrawal agreement by guaranteeing their right to be reunited with family members in the UK after Brexit.
DfE officials have been asked by Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, to consider plans for a replacement exchange programme in the event of the UK failing to remain in Erasmus+.DfE officials have been asked by Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, to consider plans for a replacement exchange programme in the event of the UK failing to remain in Erasmus+.
In a speech to vice-chancellors in September, Williamson said: “I want to reassure you that my department is open to continuing to be part of schemes like Erasmus+. But we have to prepare for every eventuality and it is sensible to consider all options. As such I have asked my officials to provide a truly ambitious scheme if necessary.”In a speech to vice-chancellors in September, Williamson said: “I want to reassure you that my department is open to continuing to be part of schemes like Erasmus+. But we have to prepare for every eventuality and it is sensible to consider all options. As such I have asked my officials to provide a truly ambitious scheme if necessary.”
As well as facilitating student exchanges since it began in 1987, the revamped Erasmus+ scheme also funds schools and colleges for work placements, staff development and collaboration with international partners.As well as facilitating student exchanges since it began in 1987, the revamped Erasmus+ scheme also funds schools and colleges for work placements, staff development and collaboration with international partners.
The Association of Colleges, representing further education and sixth-form colleges, estimates that 100 colleges have been awarded about €77m (£66m) to fund more than 30,000 placements between 2014 and 2020.The Association of Colleges, representing further education and sixth-form colleges, estimates that 100 colleges have been awarded about €77m (£66m) to fund more than 30,000 placements between 2014 and 2020.
The AoC said the government “should pursue every avenue to stay in the Erasmus+ programme” or risk losing vital training or placement opportunities. The AoC said the government “should pursue every avenue to stay in the Erasmus+ programme” or risk losing vital training and placement opportunities.