House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Turing Scheme

05 September 2023 · 4 other contributors · 4,606 words

Opened by Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife

Responding minister: Robert Halfon

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Wendy Chamberlain raised concerns about turing scheme in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

The Turing scheme faces funding delays and uncertainties affecting students' ability to plan their international trips.
Students experience financial strain due to the scheme's funding model not aligning with academic calendars in other countries.
Government is urged to review funding allocation and provide long-term certainty beyond the 2025 spending review.

Key requests to Government

The Government must review the Turing scheme's funding allocation and provide certainty for students by guaranteeing long-term funding beyond the 2025 spending review. The scheme should also offer reciprocity to foster stronger international partnerships.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife

The Turing scheme is not working effectively due to funding delays and uncertainties. Students like Aria, a third-year student at the University of St Andrews studying Chinese studies and Spanish, have faced significant challenges. She applied for funding in February but did not receive decisions until August, too late for her to plan her trip to Uruguay properly. The scheme's funding model does not align with academic calendars in other countries, leading to financial strain and uncertainty. Additionally, the cost of living stipends are lower compared to Erasmus, causing further difficulties.

Other contributors (4)

Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland

On the subject of those who can access study here, I invite the Minister to address the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for North East Fife (Wendy Chamberlain) in relation to those studying medicine and veterinary medicine. Such is the nature of teaching in modern courses that those are almost entirely clinically based. Does the Minister not understand that—I suspect the problem lies with the Home Office rather than his Department—exclusions around the facility to teach in fact exclude those students from any international exchange of this sort?
Carol Monaghan SNP Glasgow North West

This is a really important debate, and the hon. Member has started with the powerful example of her constituent Aria, who sensibly flew out to Uruguay. She highlights that without funds behind her, Aria would not have been able to do this. The scheme supposed to get rid of disadvantage and be inclusive actually puts a massive barrier in the way of those from disadvantaged backgrounds if funding is not in place. The Minister talks about the funding that has been allocated, but a recent Financial Times report stated that universities that applied to the scheme received only 35% to 45% of the money they felt they required to support their students.
Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

Commending the hon. Member for Glasgow North West, Jim Shannon points out that the increased cost of living puts off low-income households from taking up the opportunity provided by the Turing scheme despite funding offers being made to more students. Expressed concerns about the Turing scheme's funding model, finding it strange that despite global inflationary issues being a concern for UK governance, the cost of living assessments do not properly reflect reality.
Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon

My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech highlighting the lack of reciprocity in the Turing Scheme, which hinders the formation of global student connections necessary for future professional networks. I do not disagree with anything the Minister says—40,000 students is wonderful—but we cannot help but make a comparison with Erasmus+, from which 55,000 students were able to benefit. We have heard about the impact on the wider economy and, as he says, students' ability to access better degrees and a better life outcome. Has the Department looked at how much money we have potentially lost as a result of the lower number of students engaging in such activity?

Government Response

Robert Halfon

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Betts. I congratulate the hon. Member for North East Fife on securing this important debate and share her passion for international placements while noting that the Turing scheme is not perfect but is working hard to ensure its success. The Turing scheme provides students, learners and pupils across the UK with opportunities to gain international experience, boost employability, develop soft skills, language skills and cultural understanding. It offers funding for almost 4,000 participants in Scotland this year, nearly 600 more than last year, and aims to extend the ladder of opportunity for over 40,000 students and learners across the UK from under-represented or less advantaged backgrounds with enhanced funding. Universities, colleges and schools will share almost £105 million of funding to offer placements to their students. The scheme is designed to deliver an improved benefit to the UK taxpayer by prioritising funding for students rather than non-educational placements for staff or inbound placements in the UK for students in other countries. It aims to ensure value for money through a competitive annual application process, high-quality placements and improved skills and employability. While acknowledging that there have been issues with funding delays and navigating new processes, I am working closely with Capita to collect and act on feedback from the sector to improve the scheme. In conclusion, we will carry on evolving the scheme and making improvements, including by expanding opportunities for apprentices. The Turing scheme has a long-term future and is determined to be a great success.