Question reference: S5W-34324
- Asked by: Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 8 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 5 February 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government, (b) the European Commission and (c) Universities Scotland regarding how students from Scotland might continue to participate in the Erasmus scheme, similar to students from Northern Ireland, and what funding it could provide toward this.
Answer
The Scottish Government’s priority has always been for the whole of the UK to fully associate to the Erasmus programme. Extensive engagement with the UK Government before and after the end of the transition period has taken place both at ministerial and official level. I have been in regular contact with the UK Government Universities Minister at bilateral level with our most recent meeting on 19 January 2021. Additionally I have been taking part in all-UK nations quadrilateral meetings and most recently in EU Exit Committee- XO meeting on 20 January 2021. I have also been engaging regularly with Universities Scotland in meetings including the wider further and higher education sectors.
Erasmus Plus has been a hugely beneficial programme for Scotland. The regretful decision by the UK Government not to associate to the programme has led us to pursue other options. The Scottish Government remains committed to Erasmus, and is exploring what alternative options are open to Scotland to remain close to this critical programme. I had a meeting with EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel on 13 January 2021, to explore how we might keep Scotland as close to Erasmus as possible.