Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 85
85
On 26 December 2020, two days after the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was reached,...
Conclusion
On 26 December 2020, two days after the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was reached, the UK Government announced a new scheme for students to study and work abroad that would “replace the UK’s participation in Erasmus+”.202 Along with the announcement, the Government said: • The scheme will provide funding [£110 million203] for around 35,000 students in universities, colleges and schools to go on placements and exchanges overseas, starting in September 2021. • The scheme will target students from disadvantaged backgrounds and areas which did not previously have many students benefiting from Erasmus+, making life-changing opportunities accessible to everyone across the country. • The scheme will provide similar opportunities for students to study and work abroad as the Erasmus+ programme but it will include countries across the world and aims to deliver greater value for money to taxpayers. • UK organisations will be invited to bid into the scheme in early 2021. Successful applications will receive funding for administering the scheme and students taking part will receive grants to help them with the costs of their international experience. 198 Q149 199 “Why has the UK ditched participation in Erasmus+?”, University World News, 1 January 2021 200 Oral evidence taken before the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union on 17 December 2020, HC (2019–21) 203, Q1076 [Hilary Benn] 201 Oral evidence taken before the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union on 11 March 2020, HC (2019–21) 203, Q51 [Jane Stevenson] 202 “New Turing scheme to support thousands of students to study and work abroad”, HM Government, 26 December 2020 203 HMG, ‘New £110m Truing Scheme to support thousands of UK students to study and work abroad’, accessed 15 April 2021 36 Universities and Scotland • The benefits of the exchanges to schools and colleges will be assessed and the learnings used to build on future schemes. Funding decisions for subsequent yea
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
At Spending Review 2021, the UK Government confirmed funding for the Turing Scheme for the next three years, including maintaining total funding for mobilities and delivery of the scheme at £110 million for the 2022/23 Academic Year. We are committed to international educational mobility and have a clear aim to use the Turing Scheme as part of the long-term ambitions for a Global Britain. The impact of the first year of the Turing scheme will be evaluated so that we can continue to develop the scheme in subsequent years, to ensure it delivers on its objectives, supports students to make the most of their international experiences, and is aligned with government priorities. The Turing Scheme prioritises pupils, students and learners over staff and inward mobility funding to ensure that as many of our students as possible can benefit, including a focus on widening access for disadvantaged students. We will continue to closely engage with the Devolved Administrations going forward and ensure their views are taken into account in the future development of the Turing scheme. Regarding the Erasmus+ programme, President Von Der Leyen has previously confirmed that association by part of a country is not legally possible.