The UK will officially rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in January, enabling students and young people to study, train or gain work experience across the European Union , Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has stated.

Ms Nandy said the initiative’s return after a six-year absence would help rebuild closer ties with European neighbours.

Britain departed the programme in 2020 under Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement, after the then-prime minister claimed it failed to deliver value for money.

The scheme was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which has now ended following the Government’s announcement of a new agreement on Erasmus+.

Preparations for the UK to re-enter the Erasmus programme were originally outlined as part of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s post-Brexit reset agreement with Brussels in 2025.

Ms Nandy said: "After six years away, the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme is a clear symbol of our ambition and intent.

The UK left the programme in 2020 when Boris Johnson was PM (PA) (PA Archive)

"This…