Scotland’s Constitution Secretary and opposition politicians have responded after the UK Government confirmed it has agreed with the European Union for the UK to associate with the Erasmus+ programme from 2027.
The announcement marks a significant shift in post Brexit relations with the EU and would see the UK rejoin the flagship student and youth exchange scheme it left following Brexit.
The Scottish Government has long argued for a return to Erasmus, saying the programme delivered clear educational, cultural and economic benefits to Scotland.
Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said the agreement was welcome news and reflected a position Scotland had consistently maintained.
“The Scottish Government welcomes the agreement which has been reached on Erasmus+.
“This is good news for Scotland, and something we have consistently argued for including publishing a Scottish Government position paper in March, two months before the UK EU May summit when in principle agreement was reached.”
However, Robertson also criticised the decision to withdraw from the scheme in the first place.
“We regret that the UK Government ever took us out of the Erasmus+ programme despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledging in the House of Commons in early 2020 to keep the UK in.”
“We will now work positively to maximise the benefits and take up of the scheme as well as ensuring it enables people to participate and not keep them out.
“Scotland always had a proportionately higher take up than the UK as a whole.”
The UK’s withdrawal from Erasmus led to the creation of the Turing Scheme, which critics argued lacked reciprocity and did not offer the same opportunities for incoming students and partnerships.
Liberal Democrats have also welcomed the announcement, saying it followed years of campaigning to reverse the decision.
Susan Murray MP, Liberal Democrat Scottish affairs spokesperson, said the move was overdue.
“For years, Liberal Democrats have fought to get us back into Erasmus, so this is welcome news.”
She said the impact of Brexit continued to be felt across Scotland.
“From young people to businesses, there are so many people in Scotland who have been messed around by the Conservatives’ harmful Brexit deal.
“The SNP promised a replacement but never delivered.
“The UK Government must do more to tear down barriers with Europe.
“They need to finally listen to our calls to negotiate a bespoke UK EU customs union and commit to a youth mobility scheme to help future generations.”
Erasmus+ supports students, apprentices, teachers and young people to study, train or volunteer abroad, while also bringing participants from Europe to the UK.
Scotland was one of the strongest users of the scheme before Brexit, with universities, colleges and youth organisations among its most active participants.
The UK Government has not yet published full details on how association from 2027 will work in practice or how costs will be met.
Both the Scottish Government and opposition parties say the focus must now be on ensuring Scotland secures full and fair access to the programme.
