No, we are joining Erasmus on much better financial arrangements, with a 30% discount, for a larger scheme that will provide more opportunities for our young people and, in fact, for people throughout their lives, because in adult education you can benefit from this as well. We will get the benefit if we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunities that Erasmus brings and ensure that, across the country, schools, universities, apprenticeship providers, youth clubs and sports clubs are making the most of this opportunity.

No, we are joining Erasmus on much better financial arrangements, with a 30% discount, for a larger scheme that will provide more opportunities for our young people and, in fact, for people throughout their lives, because in adult education you can benefit from this as well. We will get the benefit if we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunities that Erasmus brings and ensure that, across the country, schools, universities, apprenticeship providers, youth clubs and sports clubs are making the most of this opportunity.

Tabled by

Baroness Bakewell

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the scope of eligibility for the Erasmus+ scheme, including to asylum seekers.

Tabled by

Baroness Bakewell

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to extend the scope of eligibility for the Erasmus+ scheme, including to asylum seekers.

My Lords, the UK has agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. The scope of the programme is set by the European Commission, and diversity and inclusion is a key priority. Erasmus+ dedicates additional support to people with fewer opportunities, which includes people with migrant or refugee backgrounds. Asylum seekers can benefit from a variety of Erasmus+ activities, such as inclusion projects aimed at fostering social integration, virtual exchanges or school twinning.

My Lords, the UK has agreed terms to join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027. The scope of the programme is set by the European Commission, and diversity and inclusion is a key priority. Erasmus+ dedicates additional support to people with fewer opportunities, which includes people with migrant or refugee backgrounds. Asylum seekers can benefit from a variety of Erasmus+ activities, such as inclusion projects aimed at fostering social integration, virtual exchanges or school twinning.

Yes, my noble friend is absolutely right. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for learners, for educators, for young people and for our communities. It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands of people across the UK to benefit from those experiences. As my noble friend says, this includes our ability to learn from, and also share, the enormously important contribution that education makes to this country, to our exports and to our standing in the world.

Yes, my noble friend is absolutely right. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for learners, for educators, for young people and for our communities. It is an investment in opportunity for our young people, our workforce and our future, opening doors for tens of thousands of people across the UK to benefit from those experiences. As my noble friend says, this includes our ability to learn from, and also share, the enormously important contribution that education makes to this country, to our exports and to our standing in the world.

Of course, the nature of the rights of asylum seekers means that they would not, for example, be able to benefit from travel overseas. Were they to be volunteering or in education, they could benefit from Erasmus programmes there.

Of course, the nature of the rights of asylum seekers means that they would not, for example, be able to benefit from travel overseas. Were they to be volunteering or in education, they could benefit from Erasmus programmes there.

The noble Lord is exactly right. That is why we need to make sure, with this opportunity that we have with Erasmus+, that we do better than we did the last time we were in the Erasmus scheme in making sure that we get the benefits in the UK. It is a job for us all to make sure that our schools, universities, training providers and colleges understand the chances and are able to take them up, and that we see those chances shared widely among all those who could benefit.

The noble Lord is exactly right. That is why we need to make sure, with this opportunity that we have with Erasmus+, that we do better than we did the last time we were in the Erasmus scheme in making sure that we get the benefits in the UK. It is a job for us all to make sure that our schools, universities, training providers and colleges understand the chances and are able to take them up, and that we see those chances shared widely among all those who could benefit.

This is a number one priority. In my work in the Department for Work and Pensions, the Secretary of State has been completely clear about the focus that we need to place on youth unemployment, on our youth guarantee and on appropriately spending the £1.5 billion that we received from the Budget in order to make sure that we reduce that million young people who are starting their working lives neither earning nor learning, with all the impact for them and the economy; and that we turn around the 40% decrease that we have seen in young people’s apprenticeship starts in order to provide opportunities for young people to be not only in work but in skilled work that will last them throughout their lives.

This is a number one priority. In my work in the Department for Work and Pensions, the Secretary of State has been completely clear about the focus that we need to place on youth unemployment, on our youth guarantee and on appropriately spending the £1.5 billion that we received from the Budget in order to make sure that we reduce that million young people who are starting their working lives neither earning nor learning, with all the impact for them and the economy; and that we turn around the 40% decrease that we have seen in young people’s apprenticeship starts in order to provide opportunities for young people to be not only in work but in skilled work that will last them throughout their lives.

I am sorry, but I do not recognise those figures. What we have agreed is the joining of the last year of this round of Erasmus+ in 2027, at a 30% discount—something not achieved by the party opposite—saving UK taxpayers around £240 million and ensuring benefit to tens of thousands of UK students, school students, apprentices, youth groups and sports groups. I think that is good value for money in terms of individual opportunity, the change and the impact it will have on our status in the world, and our education system’s earnings.

I am sorry, but I do not recognise those figures. What we have agreed is the joining of the last year of this round of Erasmus+ in 2027, at a 30% discount—something not achieved by the party opposite—saving UK taxpayers around £240 million and ensuring benefit to tens of thousands of UK students, school students, apprentices, youth groups and sports groups. I think that is good value for money in terms of individual opportunity, the change and the impact it will have on our status in the world, and our education system’s earnings.

All the revenue raised from the international student levy will be invested into higher education and the rest of the skills system, including the reintroduction of maintenance grants to enable students from all backgrounds to benefit from our world-class higher education. Our decision to lift the cap and to index-link tuition fee increases over the next few years will increase revenues to universities by £6 billion, while the international student levy will be a maximum of £1 billion, and not until 2027-28.

All the revenue raised from the international student levy will be invested into higher education and the rest of the skills system, including the reintroduction of maintenance grants to enable students from all backgrounds to benefit from our world-class higher education. Our decision to lift the cap and to index-link tuition fee increases over the next few years will increase revenues to universities by £6 billion, while the international student levy will be a maximum of £1 billion, and not until 2027-28.

The noble Lord is right. We have a job, as I was just suggesting, to make sure that schools around the country understand the potential of Erasmus. That is why we will soon be in a position to announce the national agency that will be co-ordinating this. As my noble friend Lord Stansgate said, information will be available soon to enable schools, universities and others to have the information that they need in order to develop the projects that will benefit children across the country.

The noble Lord is right. We have a job, as I was just suggesting, to make sure that schools around the country understand the potential of Erasmus. That is why we will soon be in a position to announce the national agency that will be co-ordinating this. As my noble friend Lord Stansgate said, information will be available soon to enable schools, universities and others to have the information that they need in order to develop the projects that will benefit children across the country.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are enough English for Speakers of Other Languages classes throughout the country to meet demand, and whether those classes are free for asylum seekers and refugees.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are enough English for Speakers of Other Languages classes throughout the country to meet demand, and whether those classes are free for asylum seekers and refugees.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether local authorities are required to continue to accommodate former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children for whom they had responsibility once those individuals are over the age of 18; and, if so, in what circumstances and on what basis do such requirements arise.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether local authorities are required to continue to accommodate former unaccompanied asylum-seeking children for whom they had responsibility once those individuals are over the age of 18; and, if so, in what circumstances and on what basis do such requirements arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum cases were brought to a conclusion, including appeals, (a) within two months, (b) between two and six months, (c) between six and 12 months and (d) over 12 months in each of the...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum cases were brought to a conclusion, including appeals, (a) within two months, (b) between two and six months, (c) between six and 12 months and (d) over 12 months in each of the...

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were removed through (a) assisted voluntary returns and (b) enforced returns in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were removed through (a) assisted voluntary returns and (b) enforced returns in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much expenditure her Department has incurred in removing unsuccessful asylum seekers from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much expenditure her Department has incurred in removing unsuccessful asylum seekers from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the estimated 450,000 older cases backlog in the Case Resolution Directorate are estimated to be refused asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the estimated 450,000 older cases backlog in the Case Resolution Directorate are estimated to be refused asylum seekers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of how long it will take to (a) clear the backlog of outstanding asylum cases and (b) deport all those unsuccessful in these cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of how long it will take to (a) clear the backlog of outstanding asylum cases and (b) deport all those unsuccessful in these cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers on entry into the UK have used (a) sexual assault, (b) rape and (c) gender-based violence as the basis for their asylum claim in each year since 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers on entry into the UK have used (a) sexual assault, (b) rape and (c) gender-based violence as the basis for their asylum claim in each year since 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) women and (b) children held in immigration removal centres have identified themselves as being subject to (i) sexual assault, (ii) rape and (iii) gender-based violence in their country of origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) women and (b) children held in immigration removal centres have identified themselves as being subject to (i) sexual assault, (ii) rape and (iii) gender-based violence in their country of origin.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which (a) countries and (b) regions of countries the Government does not carry out forced removals of refused asylum seekers because of conflict or generalised violence which makes it unsafe for them to be returned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which (a) countries and (b) regions of countries the Government does not carry out forced removals of refused asylum seekers because of conflict or generalised violence which makes it unsafe for them to be returned.