The PM is set to reverse a decision by Boris Johnson’s government to leave the EU Erasmus scheme for university students.
Keir Starmer has reversed part of Boris’s Brexit deal (Image: Getty)
The Prime Minister has approved plans to spend over half a billion quid in a single year on funding middle-class students’ gap years in Europe. This morning, the Government confirmed reports that it is set to reverse part of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal and take Britain back into the EU Erasmus+ scheme for university students.
British students will be able to take advantage of the gap year travel scheme from 2027, with the Government championing it as widening opportunities to study and train abroad. However, the move will risk prompting backlash from Brexiteers, after Boris Johnson decided to walk away from the scheme over the belief it was both unjustifiably expensive for British taxpayers and favoured middle-class students. Before Brexit, Erasmus saw twice as many EU students come to Britain to study as British students in Europe, costing the UK taxpayer more than £200 million a year.
The move represents an unpicking of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. (Image: Getty)
This morning, ministers confirmed that the cost to British taxpayers of rejoining Erasmus will be around £570 million for the 2027/2028 academic year alone.
This includes a 30% discount; however, it applies to just the first year of membership, so costs may rise subsequently.
It’s reported ministers had demanded a 50% discount for the first year, though this was rejected by Brussels’ negotiators.
Announcing plans to rejoin the programme, EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds branded it a “huge win for our young people”,
“Breaking down barriers and widening horizons to ensure everyone, from every background, has the opportunity to study and train abroad.
“This is about more than just travel: it’s about future skills, academic success, and giving the next generation access to the best possible opportunities.
“Today’s agreements prove that our new partnership with the EU is working. We have focused on the public’s priorities and secured a deal that puts opportunity first.”
Today’s announcement also confirmed that the Government has agreed to begin negotiating with the EU on electricity market integration, and set a deadline to agree a food and drink trade deal and carbon markets linkage next year.
In recent weeks, a number of Government ministers have confirmed it is part of the Government’s plan to begin reversing Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
Some have also suggested Sir Keir Starmer may be willing to break another cast-iron manifesto pledge not to rejoin the EU customs union
