Erasmus grants for Scotland and Wales after all?

Erasmus grants for Scotland and Wales after all?

At the end of December it was announced that the United Kingdom will discontinue the Erasmus+ programme. Prime Minister Boris Johnson finds participation too expensive and wants to launch a new British exchange programme.

But according to the German MEP Terry Reintke and her colleagues, Scotland and Wales do want to continue participating. In a letter, they therefore ask whether the European Commission sees any possibilities for this, and whether there has already been contact with the regional authorities. This is reported by Neth-ER, the Dutch education and research outpost in Brussels.

Own Parliament

The letter has now been signed by more than a fifth of all MEPs. Three Dutch members have also expressed their support: Agnes Jongerius, Lara Wolters (both PvdA) and Samira Rafaela (D66). 

Whether it is legally possible remains to be seen. According to Neth-ER, the signatories are pinning their hopes on the fact that “education in the United Kingdom is a competence of the devolved authorities”. When it comes to major issues, such as foreign policy or defence, it is the British Parliament in London that decides. At the same time, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own parliament. (HOP, Evelien Flink)