Erasmus+ Eligibility: Asylum Seekers

Baroness Garden of Frognal Excerpts

Thursday 29th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

All the revenue raised from the international student levy will be invested into higher education and the rest of the skills system, including the reintroduction of maintenance grants to enable students from all backgrounds to benefit from our world-class higher education. Our decision to lift the cap and to index-link tuition fee increases over the next few years will increase revenues to universities by £6 billion, while the international student levy will be a maximum of £1 billion, and not until 2027-28.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal (LD)]

My Lords, it was an absolute travesty that we left Erasmus with Brexit.

[Noble Lords]

Hear, hear!

[Baroness Garden of Frognal (LD)]

Thank you, my Lords. I entirely agree with everything the noble Baroness has said, but are we rejoining Erasmus on the same conditions? Will our young people have the same opportunities as they had under the old system of Erasmus?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

No, we are joining Erasmus on much better financial arrangements, with a 30% discount, for a larger scheme that will provide more opportunities for our young people and, in fact, for people throughout their lives, because in adult education you can benefit from this as well. We will get the benefit if we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunities that Erasmus brings and ensure that, across the country, schools, universities, apprenticeship providers, youth clubs and sports clubs are making the most of this opportunity.