The Welsh and Scottish Governments have raised serious concerns
about the impact of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on the popular Europe-wide
international student exchange programme Erasmus+.
In a letter sent to Secretary of State for Education , Education Minister
and Scottish Further and
Higher Education Minister argue the case for
continued participation in the programme.
The Welsh and Scottish Ministers say leaving the EU without a
deal, and without the UK Government reaching an alternative Third
Country agreement or other arrangement, would see universities,
colleges, and schools across the UK ineligible to submit
applications to participate in the final year of the current
Erasmus+ programme in 2020.
Between 2014 and 2018, Erasmus+ has enabled an estimate of over
10,000 students and staff in Wales to undertake mobility visits
to benefit their learning and career development.
, the Education Minister,
said:
“Over the last five years an estimated 10,000 students and staff
in Wales have benefited from participation in the Erasmus+
programme.
“The UK Government is responsible for the UK financial
contribution for Erasmus+ but with only weeks to go before we
leave the EU there are still no plans for a national replacement
scheme. If the Prime Minister insists on crashing out of the EU
without a deal it could cause severe damage to the prospects of
university students, staff and the communities across Wales in
which our universities play an integral part.
“We are calling on the Secretary of State for Education to meet
with us as a matter of urgency to ensure Wales and Scotland
remain full participants in this important programme.”
