# Nandy Rejects Claims of Politicising Remembrance Sunday After Erasmus Row Culture Secretary defends linking student exchange scheme announcement to wartime commemoration efforts. - **Source:** [BBC News – Politics](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2972ae31-b04a-4b55-b6d6-0e1bdb14df02 ## Erasmus Announcement Sparks Backlash Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy faced intense criticism after her department linked the UK's return to the Erasmus+ scheme with Remembrance Sunday. Conservatives and Reform leader Nigel Farage accused the government of using a solemn day of commemoration to promote a political agenda regarding the nation's future relationship with the European Union. ## Government Justifies The Connection Nandy defended the timing, arguing that building European connections honors the legacy of the generation that fought for freedom. She cited Winston Churchill’s post-war efforts to extend a hand of friendship across Europe as a precedent for viewing international collaboration as a logical extension of honoring wartime sacrifices and collective peace. ## Opposition Demands Formal Apology Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake labeled the comments as tone-deaf and shameful, calling for an immediate apology. Critics argued that the bonds forged by veterans are significantly deeper than student exchange programs and that the government should refrain from using such a sensitive occasion to pitch EU membership or policy deals. ## Financial Terms of Re-entry The UK is set to rejoin the expanded Erasmus+ scheme in January, six years after leaving following the Brexit deal. The government confirmed a payment of £570 million to participate, which officials described as a 30% discount. The program will facilitate university placements, cultural exchanges, and free train passes for young people. ## Focus on Regional Inclusion The government aims to prioritize participation from areas previously less engaged with the scheme, specifically targeting the north of England and the Midlands. Youth groups will be eligible for short-term exchanges, with applications for the program scheduled to open later this month as part of a broader effort to boost youth mobility. ## Turing Scheme Versus Erasmus Reform leader Nigel Farage criticized the financial commitment, describing Erasmus as wildly expensive compared to the Turing Scheme introduced by ministers in 2021. The debate highlights ongoing tensions regarding the UK's post-Brexit educational strategy and the comparative value of domestic versus international exchange programs for British students and their future careers. ## Broader EU Mobility Negotiations The row coincides with ongoing negotiations between the UK and EU regarding a new youth mobility scheme ahead of a summit on November 20. While some leaders advocate for honest discussions on free movement, EU officials have warned that the UK cannot selectively choose elements of the single market to participate in. ## Political Context and Future Nandy maintained that most benefits promised during the 2016 Brexit campaign remain unrealized, necessitating difficult trade-offs for Britain's future. As the government navigates these complex diplomatic waters, the incident underscores the persistent sensitivity surrounding any policy shift that touches upon the UK's historical and future relationship with the European bloc. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmvg72p1zgvlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._