Question reference: S5W-34325
- 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 the UK Government regarding the proposed Turing scheme, which aims to replace participation in Erasmus.
Answer
The Scottish Government has had extensive engagement with the UK Government both at ministerial and official level, on the UK Government’s proposed domestic alternative to Erasmus, the Turing Scheme. I have regular meetings with the UK Government’s Universities Minister and with my counterparts in the devolved administrations on this issue. Scottish Government officials also have regular engagement with the Department for Education officials. During these discussions I have reiterated that the Turing scheme does not match the Erasmus programme in scope and breadth, that we will see support for our most disadvantaged learners cut and opportunities for all our students reduced. The UK Government’s intention to use the Internal Market Act to implement Turing negatively impacts our ability to provide students in Scotland with the best options for educational mobility and exchange, and threatens our devolved rights.