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UK-EU Common Understanding Negotiations 2025-12-17
17 December 2025
Lead MP
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyWalesBrexit
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
Nick Thomas-Symonds raised concerns about uk-eu common understanding negotiations 2025-12-17 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government were elected with a manifesto commitment to reset relations with European partners; to fix the bad deal passed on by the previous government; and to support jobs here in the UK. A new strategic partnership agreement was made, including participation in Erasmus+ from 2027 offering more opportunities for students, teachers, youth workers, and communities. The Government will appoint a national agency to administer the programme.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Recognises the importance of educational opportunities but criticises the cost of rejoining Erasmus+ at £570 million, questioning whether this undermines the Turing scheme. Asks where the funding will come from and if it is a fair contribution, given previous claims of a 50% discount.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
Welcomed the announcement but urged for details on how Erasmus can aid young people in gaining confidence and preparing them for employment. Emphasised the negative impacts of the pandemic, austerity under previous Tory governments, and a bad Brexit deal.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Welcomed the rejoining but urged the Government to go further in building closer ties with Europe beyond the Erasmus scheme. Asked about the timeline for implementation of the food, drink and sanitary agreements.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Welcomed rejoining of Erasmus+ but emphasised that work remains to reduce trade barriers with Europe as a consequence of Brexit. Highlighted the impact on small and medium-sized businesses.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Agreed with the Minister's approach, highlighting the importance of not joining customs unions which would negate recent trade deals such as those with South Korea.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Welcomed the announcement but asked for clarity on next steps in UK's participation, including the appointment of a national agency to support Erasmus+ from 2027.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Ms Eshalomi thanked the Minister and highlighted her personal experience with Erasmus. She called for a more inclusive rollout, ensuring that apprentices, young workers, and those studying get access to these opportunities.
Layla Moran
LD
Oxford West and Abingdon
Ms Moran welcomed the statement but questioned the value of the agreement. She acknowledged the impact on her constituents who were worried about participation due to previous discussions. She urged for further assessments regarding economic contributions.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Ms Creasy congratulated the Minister on his diplomatic approach and highlighted the benefits of active listening in negotiations with the EU. She asked about resetting relationships between Britain and its neighbours by 2026.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Sir Lewis thanked the Minister for his work on behalf of victims of the infected blood scandal and inquired about the EU's federalist agenda, expressing doubt over the UK’s alignment with such goals.
Helena Dollimore
Lab/Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Ms Dollimore welcomed Erasmus' return and asked for support to resume international train services from Ashford International, emphasising cross-party agreement on this issue.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Mr Gethins inquired about the financial mechanisms for Scottish universities' involvement and sought clarity regarding freedom of movement. He welcomed progress but was cautious on full reintegration.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Mr Zeichner praised the Minister's work and inquired about the SPS agreement, seeking confirmation on the elimination of export health certificates by 2027.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Dr Murrison welcomed the review after ten months but questioned the scheme's inclusivity and its impact on further education, expressing concern over demographic disparities in benefitting from Erasmus.
Welcomed the statement on rejoining Erasmus+. Emphasised the importance of a simple process for young people to access the scheme in 2026. Discussed the need to work closely with fishers, farmers, and agrifood sectors during negotiations. Noted that £570 million will be spent next year, representing a 30% discount from previous agreements. Emphasised the benefits of co-operation with European neighbours for cultural, social, and economic growth.
Welcomed Minister's presence but criticised Boris Johnson's approach to trade deals. Urged the Minister to work closely with sectors during negotiations on SPS agreement to make it as smooth as possible for fishers, farmers, and agrifood producers.
Welcomed the UK’s return to Erasmus+. Asked about steps the Government will take particularly in relation to sectors not previously involved, such as FE colleges, youth sector, adult learners, and staff in professional training.
Asked for clarification on how much taxpayers' money is being spent next year and where Members of Parliament can read about value for money.
Welcomed the statement, particularly that we will be rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme to benefit young people in Exeter. Stressed the importance of co-operation with European neighbours rather than isolation for cultural, social, and economic growth.
Acknowledged the deal as good work but urged the Minister to speak to the Government about getting a customs union with the EU. Suggested that the government should stop fumbling around the edges and deliver concrete results.
Welcomed progress on Erasmus+. Asked about the future for university staff in his constituency who are under pressure due to restructuring and what this offers at an organisational level for universities.
Criticised businesses in Northern Ireland being disadvantaged by rising costs, trade barriers because of the Windsor framework, delivery problems, and immediate cliff edge issues. Asked when the Government will stand up for Northern Ireland’s place within the Union.
Welcomed progress on Erasmus but asked about advance co-operation on foreign information, manipulation and interference, and working together to fight violent extremism including in its online dimension.
Welcomed the reinstatement of the Erasmus scheme. Asked about opportunities for rolling out a similar scheme for Swiss, Italian, and Spanish students.
Congratulated the Minister on steely resolve, pragmatism, and significant progress in achieving concrete commitments agreed with EU partners at May summit. Criticised Lib Dem Members' calls about a supposedly bespoke customs union.
Welcomed Erasmus+ agreement as closer ties with Europe are good news for futures of thousands upon thousands of young people in Wales. Asked how Wales’s priorities will be reflected in the administration of Erasmus+.
Welcomed Minister's focus on jobs, bills, and borders as part of a pragmatic and balanced reset with EU. Asked about progress towards a youth mobility scheme and role English language schools play in future economy.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Erasmus felt like a spiteful act as 73% of university-age young people voted against Brexit. The Minister should ensure that the programme benefits a wider range of students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Welcomes the re-entry to Erasmus+ but asks for a transparent assessment of economic growth benefits of a customs deal. Requests consideration for study on potential economic benefits in three years.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Welcomes Minister’s statement and enquires about Erasmus+ scheme benefits for young people in Harlow who do not go to university.
South Devon
Welcomes the Erasmus agreement announcement as a Christmas present. Asks if bivalve molluscs will be included in SPS negotiations with EU.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Asks if new agency for Erasmus+ will work with the Erasmus Student Network UK to promote opportunities, especially for higher and further education institutions in Scotland.
Esher and Walton
Welcomes the Government’s return to Erasmus+. Asks for a youth mobility scheme to undo wrongs done by previous government to young people post-Brexit.
Hitchin
Compliments Minister on re-securing benefits but asks how to ensure a wider group of young people can benefit from the new scheme.
Liz Jarvis
LD
Eastleigh
Welcomes announcement and agrees that all young people deserve opportunities to work and study in Europe, asking for Conservative party apology for snatching these away.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Thanks Minister for bringing back Erasmus and agrees greater co-operation is the best way forward. Criticises those with 'EU derangement syndrome' for opposing the policy.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Welcomes scheme but asks Minister to correct previous bad deal and begin negotiations on a bespoke UK-EU customs union, which could raise £25 billion.
Andrew Lewin
Lab
Welwyn Hatfield
Thanks the Minister for bringing back Erasmus and criticises Conservative party for keeping opportunities locked away from young people. Asks Minister to be ambitious in concluding youth experience scheme.
Ben Coleman
Lab
Chelsea and Fulham
Congratulates the Minister on restoring opportunities taken by Tory Brexit, especially for deprived areas of his constituency, and encourages ambition in concluding a youth experience scheme.
Government Response
The Government have agreed to participate in Erasmus+ with a 30% discount on financial terms, representing a fair balance. The UK will appoint a national agency to administer the programme and maximise take-up across all sectors. The UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme by 2027. Minister emphasised that both schemes will be open for people of all backgrounds across the UK and that accessibility is a priority, citing the Welsh Government’s Taith programme as an example. Disagreed with suggestions about customs unions as it would negate recent trade deals. The Minister responded to each speaker, emphasising financial rebates, transformative experiences for young people, assessments of economic benefits, and inclusive participation. He also highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with Europe. Welcomed the UK’s return to Erasmus+. Discussed working closely with sectors during negotiations on SPS agreement. Noted that £570 million will be spent next year, representing a 30% discount from previous agreements. Emphasised benefits of co-operation with European neighbours for cultural, social, and economic growth. SPS negotiations are under way to complete by next summit. Erasmus+ programme has changed so that more activities and support for disadvantaged backgrounds is available. Priorities include driving participation, monitoring progress and supporting opportunities for all backgrounds.
Shadow Response
Mike Wood
Shadow Response
Questions whether rejoining Erasmus+ undermines the Turing scheme, asks for assurance on discount terms beyond the first year, and criticises the Government’s approach as rolling back on Brexit by stealth.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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