Rushcliffe MP James Naish has welcomed the government’s announcement that the UK will rejoin the EU’s £23 billion Erasmus Plus programme from January 2027, building on agreements secured at the UK-EU Summit in May.
The decision marks a significant moment for British students, including 1,000s from Rushcliffe, who will once again be able to participate in study, vocational training and sports exchanges across Europe without paying additional tuition fees.
The government confirmed on Wednesday 17 December that participation in Erasmus Plus had been secured on terms that pass a national interest test, including a 30 per cent discount on the normal costs of participation. There will also be a formal review of the UK’s involvement after 10 months.
The Erasmus Plus announcement was part of a wider set of updates about UK-EU relations, including confirmation that:
- the UK and the European Commission have concluded exploratory talks on the UK’s participation in the EU’s internal electricity market;
- no carbon border adjustment mechanism costs will be levied on UK electricity exports – a welcome development that reflects the UK’s extensive use of renewables;
- negotiations on a food and drink agreement are progressing well. An agreement is expected to slash costly paperwork introduced by Brexit which means UK businesses currently face £200 for export health certificates on every single shipment.
James Naish said UK participation in Erasmus Plus was a positive development for universities as well as students, with Universities UK describing the announcement as “fantastic news for the UK”; the Russell Group of top UK universities – including the University of Nottingham – saying it was “delighted” by the reassociation; and the Association of Colleges saying it was “brilliant news” for further education colleges.
James said: “I am delighted that the UK will rejoin Erasmus Plus from 2027. Having been robbed of the same opportunities as previous generations due to botched Brexit negotiations, thousands of students in Rushcliffe and across the country will once again have the opportunity to study, train and gain valuable experience abroad, while we welcome more EU students to our universities.”
The UK left Erasmus Plus following Brexit, choosing instead to start its own exchange programme known as the Turing Scheme. However, it failed to match the scale of Erasmus Plus which has expanded significantly since its founding in 1987 to include work placements, vocational training and sports exchanges as well as university study, making it a valuable tool for education, research cooperation and soft power across Europe.
James Naish concluded that rejoining Erasmus Plus was a step forward for UK-EU relations and a major boost for young people seeking international opportunities.
He said: “This agreement shows that the government is strengthening our relationship with the EU where it is in the national interest, while delivering practical benefits for the future workforce. I can personally testify to the benefits of working and living in Europe, and I’m delighted that today’s young people can once again look forward to the same privileges.”
