5. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Erasmus+ scheme on the third sector, the further education sector and youth work in Scotland. (S5O-01698)

Erasmus+ receives on-going evaluations that are undertaken by the projects. A full impact assessment report is not due until 2020. However, feedback from stakeholders and projects illustrates the difference that the initiatives are making. The Erasmus+ programme has played a significant role in broadening Scottish young people’s educational experience, developing their cultural awareness and increasing their employment prospects. Since 2014, more than 15,000 people have been involved in nearly 500 Erasmus+ projects across Scotland. The flow of people to and from Scotland supports the development of the skills, experience and global outlook that are necessary for Scotland’s society and economy to thrive.

Two weeks ago, the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee heard at first hand about the benefits of Erasmus+ not only to university students but to young volunteers, apprentices and further education students. Will the minister join me in backing the keep Erasmus+ campaign, which is led by YouthLink Scotland, Leonard Cheshire Disability Scotland and other organisations, and call on the United Kingdom Government to ensure that Brexit does not destroy that vital scheme?

The Scottish Government is absolutely clear on the value of Erasmus+ and the risks that Brexit poses to it so, yes—I heartily support the campaign that Joan McAlpine mentioned. As I said in my original answer, the programme has played a significant role in broadening educational experience, developing cultural awareness and increasing employment prospects. As Ms McAlpine correctly points out, that applies not only to university students. In fact, often the young people who are the furthest away from higher education benefit the most, as they have been able to take part in international exchanges that they might not otherwise have been able to take part in.

Brexit and the loss of membership of the single market and of freedom of movement threaten all that. The Government will do all that it can to ensure that it protects Scotland’s young people from the worst effects of the hard Brexit that the UK Government continues to pursue.