Question reference: S6W-00406
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 4 June 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 17 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to establish a new programme of international exchange; when it expects such a programme to be established, and for what reason this was not included in its plans for the first 100 days of the parliamentary session.
Answer
We do not support the UK Government’s refusal to participate in Erasmus+. Although we are working on a new programme, this will not be able to replicate in full the benefits of Erasmus+.
In-line with our manifesto commitments, we remain committed to both Erasmus+ and to international exchange. In the interim to securing our place back in Erasmus+ we have begun to consider options regarding a Scottish mobility programme. We are currently undertaking the necessary analysis that will inform our decisions relating to such a scheme.
Our view is that people across Scotland, in all education pathways, should have access to the benefits that international exchange provides. We will announce further steps in due course.