Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 92
92
On 28 December 2020 Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and...
Conclusion
On 28 December 2020 Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, expressed his “profound disappointment” at the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus.213 He described the move as “a huge blow”, said that the Scottish Government would explore “alternative options” and described the Turing Scheme as a “watered down and less well funded version of 207 Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows (USC0013) p 3 208 The Erasmus Programme, Briefing Paper 8326, House of Commons Library, 6 January 2021 209 “Why has the UK ditched participation in Erasmus+?”, University World News, 1 January 2021 210 Q142 211 “Academics call for Scotland to rejoin Erasmus amid criticism of UK’s ‘not fit for purpose’ alternative”, The London Economic, 23 March 2021 212 “Academics call for Scotland to rejoin Erasmus amid criticism of UK’s ‘not fit for purpose’ alternative”, The London Economic, 23 March 2021 213 “Erasmus loss ‘a huge blow’”, Scottish Government, 28 December 2020 38 Universities and Scotland Erasmus” as “it’s not even an exchange program because there is no support for visits to Scotland”.214 He reflected that students in Northern Ireland will however still to be given access to Erasmus+, due to their different EU exit arrangements.215
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.