Graeme Welcomes MEPs’ Support
22 January 2021
Graeme has welcomed the support of around 150 Members of the European Parliament on efforts to continue Scotland’s participation in the popular Erasmus exchange programme.
The MEPs have asked the European Commission to explore how Scotland could still take part following the UK’s exit from the scheme.
The move comes a week after the Scottish Government’s Further & Higher Education Minister, Richard Lochhead, held productive talks on the idea with the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education & Youth.
Mr Lochhead said:
“We agreed that withdrawing from Erasmus is highly regrettable and we will continue to explore with the EU how to maximise Scotland’s continued engagement with the programme.”
He has also spoken with his Welsh Government counterpart and agreed to keep in close contact on the matter.
Until last year over 2,000 Scottish students, staff and learners took part in the scheme annually. Scotland attracted proportionally more Erasmus participants from across Europe – and sent more in the other direction – than any other country in the UK.
Commenting, Graeme said:
“Of the various negative impacts of Brexit we are now beginning to see, withdrawal from the Erasmus programme is a particular hit for education.
“It is a major loss of opportunity for many thousands of Scottish students – and, of course, for EU students for whom this door to experiencing Scotland closes.
“But I am very reassured to see so many MEPs from across Europe recognise this fact too, and I sincerely hope these talks can find a way to negate this unwanted Brexit blow.
“It is clear that many in Europe recognise the damage being done to Scotland against its will, and want us to keep our place in Erasmus as we do.”
See: https://twitter.com/TerryReintke/status/1352549902119796737?s=20
