Erasmus+ Scheme

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 January 2018.

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Photo of Shirley-Anne Somerville Shirley-Anne Somerville Scottish National Party

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.