The UK government is pushing to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the European Union's flagship Erasmus+ student exchange programme, aiming for a finalised deal by January. This move is a central part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's drive to rebuild closer ties with Brussels, following a recent breakdown in parallel negotiations over defence cooperation.
Erasmus as a Cornerstone of the UK-EU Reset
According to officials from both the UK and EU, the goal is to establish terms that would allow the UK to participate in the £23 billion Erasmus scheme from 2027 onwards. The UK withdrew from the programme after Brexit, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing it did not represent good value for money. The current Labour administration agreed to reopen negotiations at the UK-EU summit in May.
A successful and swift agreement on Erasmus is seen as crucial for ministers to demonstrate tangible progress in improving relations with the EU. This need was underscored last week when talks aimed at allowing UK companies greater involvement in the EU's €150 billion (£130bn) defence loans scheme collapsed due to a financial dispute.
Broader Negotiations Face Hurdles and Hopes
Rejoining Erasmus has been a key demand from EU member states as part of wider "reset" discussions. These talks also encompass a potential youth mobility deal, which would grant young Europeans and Britons the right to live and work in each other's territories for several years.
Other areas under negotiation include:
- A food and drink standards deal to reduce trade barriers.
- A joint carbon emissions trading scheme.
However, UK officials note that talks on these fronts, along with youth mobility, have been slow to start. This delay is partly attributed to the EU taking longer than expected to agree its negotiation mandates. Discussions on food standards and carbon emissions only began in mid-November, six months behind the original schedule.
Despite the defence setback, officials believe agreements in these other areas can be reached more quickly, as they face less resistance from European corporations. Key sticking points remain, such as whether France will insist the UK drops its proposed ban on commercial foie gras imports, and if the EU will adopt a more lenient stance towards UK regulations on genetically modified crops.
Leadership Commits to Closer EU Ties
Prime Minister Starmer has been vocal about the necessity of a closer relationship with the EU. At a recent press conference, he stated, "It is clear from all of the analysis that the [Brexit] deal that we’ve got has hurt our economy." He emphasised that for economic renewal, the UK must "keep reducing frictions" and move towards a closer partnership, acknowledging this would require trade-offs.
This sentiment was echoed by the EU's Ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, who said, "The EU is also seeking a closer relationship with the UK. In today’s challenging times for Europe, this is what our citizens expect."
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who leads the UK's negotiations with Brussels, recently spoke with EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič and is scheduled to meet him in Brussels on 10 December to advance the talks.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed the ongoing efforts, stating: "We have made good progress since the UK-EU reset summit... At the summit in May, we agreed to work towards association to Erasmus+, ensuring it is on the right terms for the UK. Those talks are ongoing."
