The UK's return to the Erasmus scheme involves an annual cost of £570 million, though the exact total cost over its full duration remains unclear. According to major media, the Labour government says 100,000 students will benefit from the new arrangement. British schools participating in Erasmus must teach children about the EU, display the EU flag, and praise the European project, with institutions facing fines of tens of thousands of pounds if they do not comply with mandatory flag display rules, though specific fines have not been detailed.
Tory MPs accuse Labour of using Erasmus to brainwash children with EU propaganda, according to Daily Mail - News. This controversy comes as the UK rejoined Erasmus without a debate or vote in Parliament, as reported by major media. The scheme replaces the Turing student placement scheme, which was introduced by the Conservative government after leaving Erasmus under Boris Johnson's tenure because more EU students were travelling to the UK than vice versa, according to major media.
Under the previous Erasmus scheme, twice as many EU students were funded than UK students, and Labour will close the Turing programme to make way for Erasmus, though the exact timing of this transition is unknown. Labour insists rejoining Erasmus will unlock opportunities for young people on the continent, according to Daily Express - Politics. Labour Ministers say the Erasmus deal is fair and balanced, and the party has promised not to seek a customs union, rejoin the single market, or establish freedom of movement as part of closer ties with the EU.
However, Tory MPs accuse Labour of resorting to mind control to unpick Brexit, according to Daily Express - Politics.