Andy Burnham is pushing for closer ties with the EU (Image: Getty)

Britain left the scheme under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal in 2020, with the then-prime minister arguing it did not offer value for money.

It was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which was ended when the Government announced the new deal over Erasmus plus.

He urged “members right across the House to work with the British Council, get their institutions engaged”.

“That is one of the concrete ways we will be helping young people through closer relationship.”

Britain Rejoins Major EU Scheme as Andy Burnham Faces Brexit Backlash

Britain is preparing to rejoin a major European Union programme, reopening debate about the country’s post-Brexit relationship with Brussels as Prime Minister Andy Burnham signals support for closer cooperation with Europe.

The UK is set to rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ student exchange scheme from January 1, 2027, giving students, apprentices, educational institutions and other learners new opportunities to study, train and gain work experience across Europe. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer confirmed the timetable in Parliament, with applications expected to open in November.

The decision marks a significant change from the approach taken after Brexit, when Britain withdrew from Erasmus+ and introduced its own international exchange programme, the Turing Scheme. The Government has said more than 100,000 people could benefit from the new arrangement. Supporters argue that restoring access will widen educational opportunities and help young people develop skills and international experience.

However, the announcement arrives at a politically sensitive moment. Burnham has recently called for a wider discussion about Britain’s future relationship with the EU, including whether the country should consider deeper integration in the years ahead. His comments have prompted criticism from Brexit supporters, who fear that individual agreements could eventually lead to a broader reversal of the 2016 referendum result.

The return to Erasmus+ is not the same as rejoining the EU itself, nor does it automatically restore freedom of movement. Instead, it is a specific programme designed to support education, training and exchanges. Nevertheless, it has become part of a larger argument about what Brexit delivered and how far Britain should go in rebuilding ties with its former partners.

Erasmus+ return offers new opportunities

The Erasmus+ programme supports international exchanges involving universities, vocational education, apprenticeships, schools, adult learning and professional development. Its return could allow British participants to take part in a wider range of European educational opportunities, while creating routes for European participants to engage with British institutions.

Under the previous arrangement, Erasmus+ enabled many students to spend part of their studies abroad. The programme also supported work placements and training opportunities beyond traditional university education. Its supporters say these experiences can improve language skills, build confidence and help participants understand different working cultures.

The Government’s decision to reassociate with Erasmus+ forms part of the broader UK-EU reset agreed under the previous administration. The new arrangement is intended to restore access to the programme from the beginning of 2027, after years in which British institutions had to rely on alternative arrangements.

The Turing Scheme was introduced as the UK’s replacement after the country left Erasmus+. It supported international placements, but critics argued that it did not provide the same reciprocal framework or the same breadth of opportunities as the European programme.

For supporters of the return, the central issue is practical rather than symbolic: students and trainees should be able to access international opportunities without being disadvantaged by the UK’s departure from the EU.

Yet the financial terms, the details of participation and the eventual distribution of opportunities will matter. The number of people who benefit will depend on how institutions apply, how places are allocated and how effectively students from less advantaged backgrounds can access the programme.

Burnham’s wider European debate

The Erasmus+ announcement comes as Burnham attempts to set out a longer-term vision for Britain’s relationship with Europe.

In recent interviews, the Prime Minister has argued that the UK should assess the consequences of Brexit after a decade of experience. He has said the current arrangements are not good enough and that Britain should have an open discussion about what future relationship with the EU would best serve the country.

Burnham has also acknowledged that some people may wish to consider options extending beyond the current framework. These could include closer economic cooperation, changes to the relationship with the single market or, in the longer term, the possibility of rejoining the EU.

But he has drawn a distinction between discussing possible future arrangements and implementing a major change now. He has said he is not proposing that Britain rejoin the EU during the current Parliament and has committed to respecting Labour’s manifesto pledges against rejoining the single market or customs union during this term. He has also said he would not restore EU freedom of movement without a referendum.

That distinction is central to the political dispute. Burnham’s critics argue that reopening questions settled by the referendum risks undermining public confidence. His supporters say the Government should be able to review the practical effects of Brexit and consider changes where there is evidence that they could benefit the economy or the public.

The return to Erasmus+ illustrates the kind of limited agreement that can be pursued without reversing the entire Brexit settlement. Whether it will encourage further cooperation or intensify opposition to the European reset remains a matter of political debate.

Brexit supporters warn against a gradual reversal

Opponents of closer EU integration are likely to view the programme’s return through the wider context of Burnham’s recent remarks.

Nigel Farage and other Brexit supporters have criticised the Prime Minister’s willingness to discuss freedom of movement and other long-term options. They argue that voters chose to leave the EU in 2016 and that ministers should not gradually restore arrangements associated with membership without seeking a clear mandate.

For these critics, the concern is not necessarily that student exchanges are inherently undesirable. Rather, they fear that individual agreements could become stepping stones towards a much closer relationship with Brussels, potentially creating pressure for additional concessions in trade, immigration or regulation.

The Government, however, has not announced a return to EU membership or freedom of movement. Erasmus+ is a defined education and training programme, and its return should be assessed on its own terms rather than treated as proof that a wider policy reversal has already been decided.

The political challenge for Burnham is to explain where cooperation should end and what safeguards will prevent limited agreements from becoming part of a much larger change without public consent.

That question is particularly sensitive because immigration was one of the major issues in the Brexit referendum. Any proposal involving the movement of people, even if limited to a particular group or purpose, is likely to attract scrutiny over eligibility, numbers, costs and the effect on domestic services.

Supporters of closer ties will need to demonstrate that the benefits are real and accessible. Critics will demand assurances that the Government is not using technical agreements to avoid a more direct debate about Britain’s constitutional and economic direction.

What the decision means for young people

For students and educational institutions, the most immediate question is how the programme will operate in practice.

Universities will need to establish partnerships, organise exchanges and help students navigate the application process. Further education colleges, apprenticeship providers and other eligible organisations may also be able to participate, broadening access beyond students pursuing traditional degrees. The Government has emphasised that the scheme is intended for educational institutions of different kinds, not just universities. <Cite refs={[“turn556112search0″,”turn556112news27”]} />

That broader eligibility could be particularly important for young people who want practical experience but cannot afford to organise international placements independently. If the scheme is properly funded and accessible, it could help more participants gain qualifications, develop professional networks and experience different approaches to education and work.

However, participation will not automatically be available to everyone. Institutions must engage with the programme, and prospective participants will need to check eligibility requirements and application procedures once further details are published. The impact will depend on whether opportunities reach students from a wide range of backgrounds rather than concentrating on those who already have the resources to travel.

There are also wider economic arguments. Businesses often value employees with language skills, international experience and the ability to work across different markets. Exchanges may help build those skills, although the programme alone cannot resolve the wider trade and productivity challenges associated with the UK’s relationship with Europe.

The November summit will be another test

Attention will now turn to the next UK-EU summit, scheduled for November 20, where both sides are expected to discuss practical measures to improve cooperation.

Potential areas include arrangements affecting food and drink trade, emissions trading and youth mobility. Negotiations over youth mobility have encountered disagreements about issues such as participation limits, university tuition fees and healthcare charges, illustrating that even relatively focused agreements can involve difficult compromises. <Cite refs={[“turn556112news26″,”turn556112search4”]} />

The Erasmus+ agreement shows that Britain and the EU can reach arrangements that deliver cooperation without restoring full membership. But it also raises questions about what other agreements might be possible and how the Government will explain their costs and benefits.

Burnham has indicated that he wants a more substantial conversation about the country’s long-term options. That conversation could continue beyond the immediate summit, but it should not be confused with a formal decision to rejoin the EU. The Prime Minister has explicitly ruled out pursuing membership during the current Parliament. <Cite refs={[“turn556112search1″,”turn556112search3”]} />

For Brussels, closer relations with Britain could bring economic and strategic benefits. For the UK Government, the challenge is to secure practical improvements while respecting existing commitments and maintaining public confidence.

A debate that is far from settled

Britain’s return to Erasmus+ is a concrete policy change, but its political significance will be interpreted differently by different groups.

Those who supported Brexit may see it as another example of the country restoring links with European institutions after withdrawal. Those who opposed Brexit may regard it as a useful correction that gives young people access to opportunities they previously enjoyed.

Neither interpretation changes the basic distinction: participation in Erasmus+ does not mean Britain has rejoined the European Union, and it does not itself restore the freedom of movement that ended with Brexit.

The programme’s success will ultimately be measured by its practical results. How many people take part? Which institutions benefit? Are opportunities available to disadvantaged students and apprentices? Do participants gain useful skills and experience? Those questions are more informative than treating every new agreement with Brussels as either a triumph or a betrayal.

For Burnham, the wider political test will be whether he can make a convincing case for closer cooperation while being clear about the limits of his current plans. His promise to respect existing manifesto commitments may reassure some voters, but his willingness to discuss future options will continue to draw criticism from Brexit supporters.

The Erasmus+ decision therefore represents both an educational development and another chapter in Britain’s continuing debate over Brexit. It offers a route for renewed exchanges with Europe, while leaving the larger questions about trade, immigration and possible future membership unresolved.

For now, the confirmed change is specific: Britain is preparing to rejoin Erasmus+ from January 2027, with applications expected to open in November. Any wider shift in the country’s relationship with the EU remains a separate political question—one that Burnham says must be approached without moving ahead of the British public.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.