The SNP have accused the Labour Government of “letting down young people”, following the announcement of a major cut to a student exchange scheme.
The Turing Scheme, the post-Brexit replacement for the EU-run Erasmus+ programme, will receive a 29 per cent budget cut for 2025/26. The budget will be £78 million, down from £110 million the previous academic year.
Many universities, colleges and schools rely on the scheme to fund overseas educational and vocational placements.
Scottish institutions have also received a smaller share of Turing Scheme funding each year, with approximately £6.9 million of funding coming their way in 2024/25, down from £8.9 million in 2023/24 and £9 million in 2022/23.
Scottish Government Education Minister Graeme Day said the move would “cause significant concern” and questioned “what it says about the commitment to return to Erasmus+”.
George Adam MSP, who sits on the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee said: “This is just another example of Labour letting down our young people. They promised change and a new direction, but it’s clear the only direction Labour is going is backwards.
“Starmer is slashing opportunities for Scottish students and heaping further financial costs on our world-class universities.
“The SNP want our young people to have the same opportunities they had before Brexit. We know how important student exchanges can be for a young person’s confidence, in building lifelong friendships and important life skills. That’s why we have been calling for a return to Erasmus+.
“It’s clear that only an independent Scotland will take us back into the EU and only the SNP will stand up to Labour’s devastating cuts.”
This comes as many Scottish higher and further education institutions face mounting financial pressure due to factors such as a drop-off in international student numbers, and increases in employer National Insurance payments.
Universities such as Edinburgh, Dundee and Robert Gordon in Aberdeen have had to make job cuts while salaries for executive staff have been increased, resulting in industrial action.
Further education institutions are also coming under financial pressure. Fife College is currently reviewing its offerings following a £1.3 million cut due to changes to the Scottish funding model for further education.
The Labour Government has committed to rejoining Erasmus+ as part of the new deal with the EU. However this is only one area that will be covered in the coming months and years of negotiations.
There have so far been few signs of progress on the rejoining of Erasmus+, with some signs that an agreement may not be reached until 2028 when the EU’s next 7 year budget is set out.
The UK Government’s approach to education has also involved investment to encourage young people into key industries such as AI, with a recent announcement of funding for MSc scholarships in the sector.
Featured image via Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.