James Naish, the Labour MP for Rushcliffe, has written to local secondary schools and colleges to help ensure young people across the constituency benefit from new opportunities to study, train and gain experience abroad when the UK rejoins Erasmus+ in January 2027.
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for education, training and youth. It supports international mobility for learners and staff to study, train and collaborate abroad, alongside structured partnerships between institutions. While it is often associated with universities, schools are a central part of the scheme, as are teachers who can use it to train abroad.
When the UK returns to Erasmus+, the programme is expected to bring approximately £60 million in funding for UK schools, £80 million for vocational education and training, £20 million for adult education, and £40 million for youth organisations, alongside access to a pot of around £1 billion managed by the European Commission for wider policy cooperation projects.
Mr Naish is encouraging local education providers to explore how the scheme can support pupils, students and apprentices across Rushcliffe. Erasmus+ typically offers opportunities for young people to take part in international study visits, vocational training placements, skills development programmes and cultural exchanges, helping them gain experiences that can support their education and future careers.
James Naish MP said:
“I want young people in Rushcliffe to be among the first to benefit from the opportunities that Erasmus+ can provide. Whether it is gaining new skills, experiencing another culture, building confidence, or preparing for the world of work, opportunities like this can have a lasting impact.
“That is why I have written to local schools and colleges to encourage them to consider ways that young people across Rushcliffe can access these opportunities, whatever their background.”
The first funding opportunities are expected to open in November 2026. More information is available on the British Council Erasmus+ website.
