This Government has announced that the UK will be joining the Erasmus scheme in 2027, fulfilling commitments made at the UK-EU Summit in May on opportunities for young people.
By joining the Erasmus scheme, opportunities will be widened for young people from all backgrounds to study and train abroad. Additionally, this will unlock opportunities for educational, youth and sport staff.
The recent announcement came as part of a major package of agreements made with the EU, also fulfilling commitments on energy market integration and trade.
Labour has been clear that they want young people, no matter their background or where they live, to have access to the best opportunities in life. Since coming into office, this Government has consistently taken action to achieve that priority, with the new Erasmus agreement being the latest example.
Joining Erasmus is an investment in opportunity for young people, our workforce, and our future. The scheme offers a broader scope of activity than those that came before it – with tens of thousands more people expected to benefit from opportunities in all EU member states and several countries outside the EU.
Opportunities available on Erasmus include:
- Further education students and apprentices going on work placements in leading European companies.
- Higher education students undertaking study or work placements.
- School groups and youth groups going on visits and exchanges.
- Education staff benefitting from training, job shadowing, and learning exchanges abroad to gain new skills.
- Coaches and sport staff taking part in professional development activities abroad and partnerships with other countries.
The UK has also agreed to start negotiations on electricity market integration and secured a commitment with the EU that we will secure a food and drink deal and carbon markets linkage next year – deals that will add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy, supporting British jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
This package of agreements is just one element of Labour’s wider mission of strengthening relationships with allies and partners and making the UK a great trading nation once again, securing closer cooperation with the EU while striking deals with countries like the US and India.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“Since coming into office, this Government has remained committed to securing deals with other countries that deliver for the British public and is good for jobs, bills, and borders.
“I welcome the UK joining the Erasmus scheme in 2027, which will provide amazing new opportunities for Portsmouth’s young people.
“I believe that every young person, regardless of their background or where they are from, deserves the opportunity to thrive. Erasmus is a major step forward in providing such important opportunities.”
