In a significant move to rebuild bridges with the European Union, the UK government is pushing to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the bloc's flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme. Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January 2025, which would pave the way for British participation from 2027 onwards.
A Key Pillar of the Post-Brexit Reset
The UK's potential return to the £23 billion Erasmus scheme represents a cornerstone of the "reset" talks initiated by the Labour government. Britain originally quit the programme after Brexit, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing it did not offer value for money. However, at the UK-EU summit last May, the current administration agreed to reopen negotiations, with a focus on reducing the cost of participation.
A swift agreement on Erasmus would allow ministers to demonstrate tangible progress in improving relations, especially after a recent setback where talks over UK involvement in the EU's €150 billion defence loans scheme collapsed due to a financial dispute.
Broader Negotiations and Sticking Points
Rejoining Erasmus has been a key demand from EU capitals, alongside a proposed youth mobility deal. However, parallel negotiations in other areas have faced delays. Talks on a food standards agreement and a joint carbon emissions scheme only began in mid-November, six months behind schedule, led by the Prime Minister's foreign policy adviser, Michael Ellam. Youth mobility discussions started in September.
UK officials remain optimistic that agreements in these areas can be reached more smoothly than the defence talks, as they face less resistance from European corporations. Nevertheless, potential hurdles remain, including whether France will insist the UK drops its proposed ban on commercial foie gras imports, and debates over the regulation of genetically modified crops and mycotoxins in British oatcakes.
Leadership Committed to Closer Ties
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been vocal about the need for a closer relationship with the EU. At a recent press conference, he stated, "It is clear from all of the analysis that the [Brexit] deal that we’ve got has hurt our economy... for economic renewal, we have to keep reducing frictions." He emphasised that there was "no credible economic future for Britain" without open trade.
This sentiment was echoed by the EU's ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, who said, "The EU is also seeking a closer relationship with the UK. In today’s challenging times for Europe, this is what our citizens expect."
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who leads the UK's negotiations with Brussels, recently spoke with EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič and is scheduled to meet him in person on 10 December. A government spokesperson confirmed good progress since the reset summit, stating the talks on Erasmus+ association are ongoing and conducted with the "national interest first."
