Universities and Science Minister to be questioned by Lords on future of the Erasmus and Horizon programmes after Brexit
On Wednesday 9th January the EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee will hold the final evidence sessions of its inquiry into the implications of Brexit for UK participation in Erasmus - the EU's student exchange programme – and Horizon 2020- the EU framework programme for research and innovation.
The Committee will question the Erasmus UK National Agency, and will then hear evidence on the implications of Brexit for both programmes from Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
The Government is encouraging UK organisations and students to continue to bid for Horizon 2020 and Erasmus funding. However, despite the Government's guarantee to underwrite funding for successful UK bids to EU programmes until 2020, the UK's continued participation in Erasmus and Horizon 2020 until this time is by no means certain if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019. Furthermore, the nature and scope of the UK's relationship with the successors to these programmes – due to run from 2021-2027 - has yet to be determined.
The Committee will ask the Minister to clarify whether the Government will seek full or partial association to the 2021-2027 programmes (called ‘Erasmus' and ‘Horizon Europe'). The Committee will also ask what steps the Government is taking to mitigate the impact on UK participants in Erasmus and Horizon 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
The Committee will ask Erasmus UK National Agency about the impact ongoing uncertainty around Brexit has had on current and prospective UK Erasmus participants.
The session will begin at 10:40am in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords. The Committee will hear evidence from:
- Jane Racz, Director, Erasmus UK National Agency
- Madeleine Rose, Deputy Director, Erasmus UK National Agency
At 11:40am the Committee will question Chris Skidmore MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.
Questions the Committee may ask include:
- What impact have the Erasmus and Horizon 2020 programmes had in the UK to date?
- What action is the Government taking to mitigate the impact on UK participants in Erasmus and Horizon 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019?
- How will the Governments guarantee to underwrite Erasmus and Horizon 2020 funding work in practice?
- What assessment have you made of the likely costs and benefits of seeking full association to the 2021-2027 Erasmus and Horizon programmes as a third country?
