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Erasmus+ Programme (Data Processing) Regulations 2026
Welcome to the 10th meeting in 2026 of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Our first item is consideration of a type 1 consent notification sent by the Scottish Government that relates to the proposed United Kingdom statutory instrument. Do any members have comments to make on the consent notification?
It is important to put on the record that it is five years on from when the Scottish National Party Government made a solemn promise in its manifesto, which, if the committee will bear with me, reads:
“we will create a Scottish programme of exchange to provide mobility and cooperation opportunities in higher education, vocational education and training, school education (including early childhood education and care), adult education, youth and sport.”
Five years on, the SNP has failed to deliver that programme. It had a £1 million pilot programme, which was dwarfed by the £65 million Welsh one that my colleague Kirsty Williams delivered when she was in government. It has taken this Labour Government to help the SNP to deliver its manifesto promise.
Manifesto promises are incredibly important. The young people across the country who were given hope in 2021 that the Government would give them an exchange programme equivalent to Erasmus have been badly let down. It is important to put all of that on the record.
Thank you. You have done that.
No other member has any comments to make, so do members agree to consent to the SI and to write to the Scottish Government accordingly?
Members indicated agreement.
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