Picture courtesy of Kin Cheung/Reuters | via CNN

 

Britain will rejoin the European Union’s Erasmus programme for student exchanges in 2027, six years after stepping away during Brexit talks. The government hails the decision as a "huge win" for British youths, providing them with study and training opportunities abroad.

 

Through this strategic move, Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to demonstrate improved EU relations.

The cost of re-entering Erasmus is considerable, with Britain set to contribute £570 million (approximately 26.2 billion Thai baht) for the 2027/28 academic year. Although this reflects a 30% discount compared to the current trade deal terms, it is still nearly double what Britain previously paid as an EU member. This financial commitment could spark debates on the impact and benefits of Brexit, given the ongoing conversation and mixed public sentiments about the 2016 decision.

 

The agreement followed a May summit where British and EU leaders promised to enhance connections, especially for young people. Starmer, since his tenure began, has advocated for closer EU ties in contrast to previous adversarial Brexit negotiations. Boris Johnson, a former Prime Minister, halted Britain’s participation in 2020, citing cost concerns, but reports have since highlighted potential economic and academic gains from Erasmus.

 

Chatham House previously reported that Erasmus boosted the UK economy by £243 million (about 11.2 billion Thai baht) annually. Moreover, the possibility for cultural and professional exchanges is seen as enhancing Britain’s global influence. Irene Tracey, from Oxford University, emphasises the broader diplomatic benefits, as foreign students often rise to influential positions worldwide.

 

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has a personal connection to Britain, suggests the renewed program will foster relationships and create enduring friendships among students. British EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds describes the agreement as pivotal for honing future skills and academic achievements, beyond facilitating travel, reported CNN.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

• Britain's rejoining of Erasmus in 2027 offers extensive educational benefits.
• The re-entry cost is significant but viewed as an investment in EU relations.
• Reviving Erasmus can bolster Britain's soft power and global connections.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-12-19

 

 

 

Still waiting for Boris's' better out than in deal, but this Euranus' deal must be never here, freebie Keir's leftie version, Nigel' won't be happy either🤔

Foolish from Starmer.

 

As if he isn't unpopular enough, being seen to try to reverse Brexit in any way will only alienate himself further and will achieve very little since Reform will undo all these changes when they form the next government.

 

You'd think he'd have a bit more political nous. 

 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Foolish from Starmer.

 

As if he isn't unpopular enough, being seen to try to reverse Brexit in any way will only alienate himself further and will achieve very little since Reform will undo all these changes when they form the next government.

 

You'd think he'd have a bit more political nous. 

 

At the referendum almost 50 percent voted against Brexit. Atm Brexit is by far even less popular. So i'd say, it's politically wise to reverse Brexit in as many ways as possible.

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Foolish from Starmer.

 

As if he isn't unpopular enough, being seen to try to reverse Brexit in any way will only alienate himself further and will achieve very little since Reform will undo all these changes when they form the next government.

 

You'd think he'd have a bit more political nous. 

 

Not popular with the right for sure, but doesn't go far enough for the left!  Poor man can't win.  

 

Unless Reform merge with the Tories, I don't think they'll win in 2029.  The British people have more sense.

 

 

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

At the referendum almost 50 percent voted against Brexit.

 

An interesting way to say that the majority voted for it. 😄

 

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Atm Brexit is by far even less popular.

 

Polling before Brexit also suggested a Remain vote. How did that work out?

 

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So i'd say, it's politically wise to reverse Brexit in as many ways as possible.

 

No, it's a cowardly way of undermining the Democrat will of the people. And that is how it will be seen. 

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not popular with the right for sure, but doesn't go far enough for the left!  Poor man can't win.  

 

The man is politically illiterate. He won by not being The Tories. But now his mask has slipped and the British people know exactly who he is.  

 

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Unless Reform merge with the Tories, I don't think they'll win in 2029.  The British people have more sense.

 

 

 

I disagree. There may be some agreement about stepping down candidates in certain constituencies to ensure the right wing vote is not split again but they will not merge.

 

This time the left wing vote might be split as well if Corby and Sultana can finally get their act together.

 

Labour are toast. Maybe forever. 

31 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

An interesting way to say that the majority voted for it. 😄

 

They did and a majority now recognise that they were sold a pup.

 

31 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Polling before Brexit also suggested a Remain vote. How did that work out?

 

Polling now has 56% regretting Brexit with only 35% still supporting it. The difference was never that large in the lead up to the referendum.

 

31 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

No, it's a cowardly way of undermining the Democrat will of the people. And that is how it will be seen. 

 

So giving young people in the UK the opportunity to study and learn new skills and languages is "a cowardly way of undermining the democratic will of the people": If you say so.

 

We elect governments to govern, so I don't generally support the use of referendums but if we must have them - as is seemingly the case with Brexit and Scottish independence - then Alex Salmond's 'once in a generation' rule of thumb seems to be about right to me.

 

So only about +/-15 years of the negative effects of Brexit - possibly enhanced by the potential next government having borderline xenophobic tendencies - to look forward to. "Cosmic" as Rodney used to say.

1 minute ago, RayC said:

So only about +/-15 years of the negative effects of Brexit - possibly enhanced by the potential next government having borderline xenophobic tendencies - to look forward to. "Cosmic" as Rodney used to say.

 

To the contrary.

 

Since the Brexit vote we have had the way to make Brexit a massive success but we haven't had the will due to Remainer PM's undermining the will of the people. Hence, while there have been many benefits such as reduced tariffs with the US we haven't exploited them as fully as we could have done. 

 

Once Farage is in, we will have both the will AND the way. Lovely Jubbly. Rodney "Plonker" Starmer will be off to Davos in a yellow Robin Reliant and Britain will once again flourish. Cushty!

 

 

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

To the contrary.

 

Since the Brexit vote we have had the way to make Brexit a massive success but we haven't had the will due to Remainer PM's undermining the will of the people. Hence, while there have been many benefits such as reduced tariffs with the US we haven't exploited them as fully as we could have done. 

 

Once Farage is in, we will have both the will AND the way. Lovely Jubbly. Rodney "Plonker" Starmer will be off to Davos in a yellow Robin Reliant and Britain will once again flourish. Cushty!

 

Yes with the blessed Nigel in charge, 'Tomorrow Jonny, we'll all be millionaires'🤦

 

The old chestnut about, 'it's not Brexit that's the problem, it's the way that it's been implemented', raises its head yet again. Well, either those dastardly Remainers - who are trying to stymie Brexit - are awfully clever or those Brexit heroes - who are pluckily trying to implement the 'Sunny Uplands' version - are very stupid because, to date, there have been numerous negative effects associated with Brexit and very few positive ones.

 

The truth is of course, that no one has the foggiest idea of how to make a success of Brexit, but that most of the politicians who supported it lack the moral courage to either take ownership and accountability for the problems caused or admit that they got it wrong.

 

To claim that reduced US tariffs on UK goods vis-à-vis the EU as a positive for Brexit is farcical. The UK is no better off from having reduced tariffs with the US, it is simply less worse-off. It is a policy which will have a negative effect on growth worldwide.

 

In the (approaching) 10 years or so since the Brexit vote, and the 6 years since we formally left, we have struck no significant trade deals and are certainly no nearer reaching agreement on one with the US.

45 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

Yes with the blessed Nigel in charge, 'Tomorrow Jonny, we'll all be millionaires'🤦

 

The old chestnut about, 'it's not Brexit that's the problem, it's the way that it's been implemented', raises its head yet again. Well, either those dastardly Remainers - who are trying to stymie Brexit - are awfully clever or those Brexit heroes - who are pluckily trying to implement the 'Sunny Uplands' version - are very stupid because, to date, there have been numerous negative effects associated with Brexit and very few positive ones.

 

The truth is of course, that no one has the foggiest idea of how to make a success of Brexit, but that most of the politicians who supported it lack the moral courage to either take ownership and accountability for the problems caused or admit that they got it wrong.

 

To claim that reduced US tariffs on UK goods vis-à-vis the EU as a positive for Brexit is farcical. The UK is no better off from having reduced tariffs with the US, it is simply less worse-off. It is a policy which will have a negative effect on growth worldwide.

 

In the (approaching) 10 years or so since the Brexit vote, and the 6 years since we formally left, we have struck no significant trade deals and are certainly no nearer reaching agreement on one with the US.

 

There is clearly no point trying to convince you Ray. Your mind is made up. Closed. 

 

You'll just have to wait until Farage/Reform have had a couple of years. After your anger stage, I look forward to your denial stage as Brexit's potential is unleashed.

 

He who dares, wins. 

 

 

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

The man is politically illiterate. He won by not being The Tories. But now his mask has slipped and the British people know exactly who he is.  

 

 

I disagree. There may be some agreement about stepping down candidates in certain constituencies to ensure the right wing vote is not split again but they will not merge.

 

This time the left wing vote might be split as well if Corby and Sultana can finally get their act together.

 

Labour are toast. Maybe forever. 

Will not merge?

 

Tories are hemorrhaging representatives at national and local level.

 

Vote Reform and get the same old Tories is becoming a thing.

Erasmus is a hugely positive scheme for British students, universities, science, research and the economy.

 

Well done Labour undoing the vindictive vandalism that was the withdrawal from Erasmus.

 

 

 

 

A Merry Erasmus present from the Labour party to the youngsters

31 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

There is clearly no point trying to convince you Ray. Your mind is made up. Closed. 

 

You'll just have to wait until Farage/Reform have had a couple of years. After your anger stage, I look forward to your denial stage as Brexit's potential is unleashed.

 

He who dares, wins. 

 

 

 

😂

 

So how are Reform going to unleash Brexit's potential? Well according to their one and only 'policy' document on their website, this will be done by:

 

1) Rescinding 6,700 retained EU laws, 
and amending British laws on State Aid, 
Competition, Employment, Net Zero and the Environment which are based on EU regulations. 

 

The 'policy' document doesn't mention what will replace these laws just that the scrapping of the existing laws and redrafting and implementation of these new laws will all happen within the first 100 days. Yeah, right😂

2) Abandoning the Windsor Framework

 

and this will be replaced by ...... ?

 

What happens if the RoI and/or EU object? Will this as yet unknown replacement document be imposed on them? Good luck with that one!

3) Withdraw from the EU Horizon 
programme and cease contributing financially to the European Defence Fund 

 

... and therefore possibly duplicate spending on R&D and not benefit from any economies of scale. Of course, on the positive side by going it alone we should be prepared for the inevitable forthcoming military confrontation with France and the EU🤦

4) Renegotiate the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

 

Fine. I foresee just one potential problem. What if the EU do not want to renegotiate? Of course, silly me; they will have to. The last 6/10 years have shown just how much, 'they need us more than we need them'.

 

You accuse me of having a closed mind but you refuse to accept the evidence of the last 6/10 years and continue to believe in what is the political equivalent of having fairies at the bottom of the garden.

 

Reform are not the answer. Do yourself a favour and wake up before even more damage is done. 

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Foolish from Starmer.

You are so closed minded and pig headed it is unbelievable.

Why would you not want British youth to have the opportunity to live, study and train abroad and enjoy all the life benefits and opportunities that that presents?

Is your hatred of anything foreign that strong? Or are you just worried that they might come back not being as flag shag happy as people of your political ilk?

I genuinely don't understand how anybody can disapprove of this, how anybody can willfully enjoy depriving young people of worldly opportunities. (Of course you already did in a massive way by voting for Brexit in the first place, but that's another story)

2 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

😂

 

So how are Reform going to unleash Brexit's potential? Well according to their one and only 'policy' document on their website, this will be done by:

 

1) Rescinding 6,700 retained EU laws, 
and amending British laws on State Aid, 
Competition, Employment, Net Zero and the Environment which are based on EU regulations. 

 

The 'policy' document doesn't mention what will replace these laws just that the scrapping of the existing laws and redrafting and implementation of these new laws will all happen within the first 100 days. Yeah, right😂

2) Abandoning the Windsor Framework

 

and this will be replaced by ...... ?

 

What happens if the RoI and/or EU object? Will this as yet unknown replacement document be imposed on them? Good luck with that one!

3) Withdraw from the EU Horizon 
programme and cease contributing financially to the European Defence Fund 

 

... and therefore possibly duplicate spending on R&D and not benefit from any economies of scale. Of course, on the positive side by going it alone we should be prepared for the inevitable forthcoming military confrontation with France and the EU🤦

4) Renegotiate the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

 

Fine. I foresee just one potential problem. What if the EU do not want to renegotiate? Of course, silly me; they will have to. The last 6/10 years have shown just how much, 'they need us more than we need them'.

 

You accuse me of having a closed mind but you refuse to accept the evidence of the last 6/10 years and continue to believe in what is the political equivalent of having fairies at the bottom of the garden.

 

Reform are not the answer. Do yourself a favour and wake up before even more damage is done. 

 

Cut foreign aid.

Withdraw from Horizon.

Massively reduce welfare benefits.

Abandon net zero.

Cut NHS/government waste.

Scrap the BBC licence fee. 

De-regulate, especially in financial services.

Scrap Erasmus. 

Leave the ECHR.

Deport all illegals.

 

There's a good start. 

 

Mange tout. 

 

6 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

😂

 

So how are Reform going to unleash Brexit's potential? Well according to their one and only 'policy' document on their website, this will be done by:

 

1) Rescinding 6,700 retained EU laws, 
and amending British laws on State Aid, 
Competition, Employment, Net Zero and the Environment which are based on EU regulations. 

 

The 'policy' document doesn't mention what will replace these laws just that the scrapping of the existing laws and redrafting and implementation of these new laws will all happen within the first 100 days. Yeah, right😂

2) Abandoning the Windsor Framework

 

and this will be replaced by ...... ?

 

What happens if the RoI and/or EU object? Will this as yet unknown replacement document be imposed on them? Good luck with that one!

3) Withdraw from the EU Horizon 
programme and cease contributing financially to the European Defence Fund 

 

... and therefore possibly duplicate spending on R&D and not benefit from any economies of scale. Of course, on the positive side by going it alone we should be prepared for the inevitable forthcoming military confrontation with France and the EU🤦

4) Renegotiate the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

 

Fine. I foresee just one potential problem. What if the EU do not want to renegotiate? Of course, silly me; they will have to. The last 6/10 years have shown just how much, 'they need us more than we need them'.

 

You accuse me of having a closed mind but you refuse to accept the evidence of the last 6/10 years and continue to believe in what is the political equivalent of having fairies at the bottom of the garden.

 

Reform are not the answer. Do yourself a favour and wake up before even more damage is done. 

Moreover we are watching the collapse of Reform’s lodestar in the US.

 

The repercussions of which will impact Reform and British politics.

 

We have an example already, Farage and his chums in Reform have gone awful quiet on their plans for a British DOGE.

 

It failed in the U.S. an it will fail in the UK.

 

On the upside, Reform have Liz Truss in their corner.

 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Cut foreign aid.

Withdraw from Horizon.

Massively reduce welfare benefits.

Abandon net zero.

Cut NHS/government waste.

Scrap the BBC licence fee. 

De-regulate, especially in financial services.

Scrap Erasmus. 

Leave the ECHR.

Deport all illegals.

 

There's a good start. 

 

Mange tout. 

 

 

Given the chance Reform will do this:

 

”De-regulate, especially in financial services.”

 

They are the party of the hyper wealthy.

3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

You are so closed minded and pig headed it is unbelievable.

Why would you not want British youth to have the opportunity to live, study and train abroad and enjoy all the life benefits and opportunities that that presents?

Is your hatred of anything foreign that strong? Or are you just worried that they might come back not being as flag shag happy as people of your political ilk?

I genuinely don't understand how anybody can disapprove of this, how anybody can willfully enjoy depriving young people of worldly opportunities. (Of course you already did in a massive way by voting for Brexit in the first place, but that's another story)

 

Like most dealings with the EU, it's a terrible deal for the UK.

 

The UK makes a substantial direct payment of approximately £570 million to the EU's Erasmus+ budget for the 2027–28 academic year alone. This is a negotiated contribution (with a 30% discount off the standard rate for associated countries), but it's a net outflow from UK taxpayers to the EU programme fund.

 

The EU pays nothing directly to the UK for this association. Instead, the UK's payment adds to the overall Erasmus+ pot. 

 

Like most things Labour do it involves giving away money from the UK taxpayer. They hate Britain and this is another way to weaken it while sucking up to the EU.

 

Reform will scrap it anyway, so enjoy it while it lasts. 

 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

They are the party of the hyper wealthy.

 

Ah, the politics of envy from the left again.

 

Labour are the party of hypocritical Liberal elites and the corrupt. Tulip Saddiq for example. They are also the party of anti-semitism, tax dodging and OAP freezing. 

2 hours ago, RayC said:

They did and a majority now recognise that they were sold a pup.

 

As do those who voted for Labour in the last election 😀

16 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

😂

 

So how are Reform going to unleash Brexit's potential? Well according to their one and only 'policy' document on their website, this will be done by:

 

1) Rescinding 6,700 retained EU laws, 
and amending British laws on State Aid, 
Competition, Employment, Net Zero and the Environment which are based on EU regulations. 

 

The 'policy' document doesn't mention what will replace these laws just that the scrapping of the existing laws and redrafting and implementation of these new laws will all happen within the first 100 days. Yeah, right😂

2) Abandoning the Windsor Framework

 

and this will be replaced by ...... ?

 

What happens if the RoI and/or EU object? Will this as yet unknown replacement document be imposed on them? Good luck with that one!

3) Withdraw from the EU Horizon 
programme and cease contributing financially to the European Defence Fund 

 

... and therefore possibly duplicate spending on R&D and not benefit from any economies of scale. Of course, on the positive side by going it alone we should be prepared for the inevitable forthcoming military confrontation with France and the EU🤦

4) Renegotiate the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement

 

Fine. I foresee just one potential problem. What if the EU do not want to renegotiate? Of course, silly me; they will have to. The last 6/10 years have shown just how much, 'they need us more than we need them'.

 

You accuse me of having a closed mind but you refuse to accept the evidence of the last 6/10 years and continue to believe in what is the political equivalent of having fairies at the bottom of the garden.

 

Reform are not the answer. Do yourself a favour and wake up before even more damage is done. 

Too true. Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster, with increasing numbers of people waking up to this act of national self-harm. The ridiculous claim, that is becuse it hasn't been implemented properly is mostly from those who are unable to admit they were wrong or at best misled. Reform has no real policies, save blaming immigrants for everything, while serving the interests of the rich, and the racist Farage is not a viable candidate for Prime Minister. The local councils they control have been a disaster and outside their flagshagger base, they are not treated as a serious proposition.

32 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

De-regulate, especially in financial services.

Is it what the people, who voted Brexit because they had been 'left behind' compared to the financial elite in the city, actually want? 

11 minutes ago, Summerinsiam said:

Too true. Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster, with increasing numbers of people waking up to this act of national self-harm. The ridiculous claim, that is becuse it hasn't been implemented properly is mostly from those who are unable to admit they were wrong or at best misled. Reform has no real policies, save blaming immigrants for everything, while serving the interests of the rich, and the racist Farage is not a viable candidate for Prime Minister. The local councils they control have been a disaster and outside their flagshagger base, they are not treated as a serious proposition.

A key flaw of Brexit is that there isn't (and never was) a clear shared project, even among people who voted Brexit.

10 minutes ago, candide said:

Is it what the people, who voted Brexit because they had been 'left behind' compared to the financial elite in the city, actually want? 

 

They want Britain to be a success and this is one of many things Reform will do that can lead to that. 

6 minutes ago, candide said:

A key flaw of Brexit is that there isn't (and never was) a clear shared project, even among people who voted Brexit.

 

A Remainer myth. 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Cut foreign aid.

 

And reduce UK influence and opportunities overseas further.

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member 

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Withdraw from Horizon.

 

Why? See my counterargument in previous email

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Massively reduce welfare benefits.

 

And further enhance the divisions in society and create an underclass 

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Abandon net zero.

 

Well meaning but probably needs amendment 

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Cut NHS/government waste.

 

... said every PM since Atlee. Why believe Reform will succeed where all others have failed?

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Scrap the BBC licence fee. 

 

And reduce UK influence further.

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member 

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

De-regulate, especially in financial services.

 

Such as? Banking Regulations? Risk of another financial crisis

 

Anyway, (largely) possible when UK was an EU member 

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Scrap Erasmus. 

 

Why? Don't you think offering education and training opportunities to young people is a good idea?

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Leave the ECHR.

 

Needs amendment.

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member 

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Deport all illegals.

 

To where?

 

Anyway, possible when UK was an EU member (unless that includes returning them to France).

 

39 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

There's a good start. 

 

Mange tout. 

 

 

Whether your measures have any merit - most don't - the overwhelming majority could have been implemented when the UK was a member of the EU so, where is the Brexit benefit?

 

Gary!

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

A Remainer myth. 

 

A fact.

 

There were Brexiters who wanted a 'hard' Brexit e.g. prepared to trade on WTO terms and those who favoured a soft one e.g. a 'Norway' or 'Canada,' style deal.

48 minutes ago, sungod said:

 

As do those who voted for Labour in the last election 😀

 

Perhaps they do but that has nothing to do with the non-existent Brexit benefits