UK-EU Common Understanding Negotiations

Debate between Alistair Strathern and Nick Thomas-Symonds

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

The Government are already committed to a youth experience scheme by the time of the next UK-EU summit. Whether it is through Erasmus+ today or the youth experience scheme, this Government are delivering concrete benefits and opportunities for young people.

[Alistair Strathern (Hitchin) (Lab)]

Whatever one’s view of Brexit, leaving the Erasmus scheme was unambiguously an act of self-harm, denying the opportunity for thousands of young people across the country to study and learn abroad. I congratulate the Minister on re-securing those benefits, but they cannot just be the preserve of a narrow few. How can we ensure that a far wider group of young people in my constituency are able to benefit from the new scheme?