Committees

Committee hears evidence on Erasmus and Horizon programmes post-Brexit

12 December 2018

The EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee takes evidence on Erasmus from Amatey Doku, Vice President (Higher Education), National Union of Students, John Latham, International Projects Manager at Lancashire & Morecambe College, Association of Colleges and Gail Armistead, Associate Director of the Office of Global Engagement at the University of Nottingham, The Russell Group. The Committee will also hear from Professor Andrew Thompson, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK Research and Innovation, on Horizon.

Background

This evidence session will form part of the Sub-Committee's inquiry into the UK's future participation in the EU student exchange and university research funding programmes: Erasmus and Horizon. The Draft Withdrawal Agreement commits the UK to participating in the Erasmus and Horizon 2020 programmes until the end of their current phases in 2020, but whether and how the UK will associate with their successor programmes after 2021 remains unclear. The first panel will focus on the short and long-term implications of leaving the EU for the UK's participation in Erasmus, while the second panel will focus on Horizon.

Witnesses

Wednesday 12 December 2018, Committee Room 3, Palace of Westminster

At 10.40am

  • Amatey Doku, Vice President (Higher Education), National Union of Students
  • John Latham, International Projects Manager at Lancashire & Morecambe College / Association of Colleges
  • Gail Armistead, Associate Director of the Office of Global Engagement at the University of Nottingham / The Russell Group

At 11.40am

  • Professor Andrew Thompson, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, UK Research and Innovation

Possible questions

Panel 1:

  • How is the uncertainty caused by Brexit affecting current and prospective UK participants in Erasmus ?
  • What would be the likely costs and benefits of Association with the 2021-27 Erasmus programme for the UK?
  • What would be the opportunities and challenges involved in the UK setting up its own international mobility programme? 

Panel 2:

  • If the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement, how would the Government's guarantee to underwrite successful Horizon 2020 funding bids work in practice?
  • In a 'no deal' scenario, is there likely to be a large increase in the number of applications for national funding schemes?
  • What level of financial contributions would the UK be required to make to secure Association to the Horizon Europe programme?

Further information

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