Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) devolved Administrations and (c) representatives of young people on the potential merits of the UK re-joining the European Solidarity Corps programme.

The Government carefully considered which EU programmes to participate in during negotiations with the EU in 2020. Under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the UK and the EU agreed the terms for our participation in Horizon Europe, Euratom Research and Training, and Copernicus.

The Government did not seek ongoing participation in the European Solidarity Corps. Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK remains eligible for European Solidarity Corps activities funded by the 2014-2020 budget. Opportunities for young people is a priority for the Government and DCMS continues to focus on delivery of the National Youth Guarantee. In addition, DfE will continue to offer the UK's international education mobility programme, the Turing Scheme, providing opportunities for students in the UK to study and work across the globe.