The UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the European Union's flagship student mobility programme, Erasmus, according to two UK and EU officials. Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January that would allow the UK to participate in the scheme from 2027 onwards.
The Labour government agreed to reopen negotiations at the UK-EU summit last May, and has been seeking to bring down the cost of UK participation. The UK quit Erasmus after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed it did not offer good value for money.
UK rejoining the £23bn Erasmus scheme has been a key demand from EU capitals as part of 'reset' talks, alongside a mobility deal granting young Europeans the right to live and work in the UK for several years, and Britons the same in Europe. A quick breakthrough would help ministers signal progress after defence talks collapsed last week over a dispute on the EU's €150bn defence loans scheme.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told a press conference on Monday that 'we do need to get closer' to the EU, adding that Brexit had hurt the economy and closer relations required trade-offs. EU Ambassador to the UK Pedro Serrano noted that Europe's prosperity, security and democracy are interlinked, and stronger EU-UK relations would bring a stronger Europe.
UK officials say talks on food standards, a joint carbon emissions scheme and youth mobility have been slow due to delays in the EU's negotiating mandate. Talks on food standards and carbon emissions began in mid-November, six months later than planned, while youth mobility talks started in September. The UK side also seeks exemptions on mycotoxins in oatcakes and a lenient approach to genetically modified crops, while France may demand the UK drop its promise to ban foie gras imports.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds spoke to EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič on Sunday and is due to meet him in Brussels on 10 December. A government spokesperson said progress has been made since the reset summit, including negotiations on a food and drink deal, and talks on Erasmus association are ongoing, putting the national interest first.
