Erasmus-plus Programme Debate

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Lord Bassam of Brighton

Main Page: Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour - Life peer)

Erasmus-plus Programme

Lord Bassam of Brighton Excerpts
Thursday 25th June 2020

(4 years, 4 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bassam of Brighton Portrait Lord Bassam of Brighton (Lab) [V]
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Universities UK International has estimated that leaving Erasmus could cost Britain up to £243 million a year. Does the Minister think that this is a price worth paying in lost income and influence? If a replacement scheme is pursued by the Government, will he commit to early consultation and to the covering of any loss of income to universities and colleges?

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Portrait Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
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My Lords, I am not familiar with the figures that the noble Lord cites from Universities UK. I have seen that it points out that, of UK students who take part in mobility schemes, almost half of them take part in mobility schemes beyond Erasmus+. We hope to be able to continue in it if we can reach a fair and equitable deal, but of course we want British students and international students coming to the UK to take part in a variety of mobility schemes, as they currently do.