Political Opinion: David Taylor MP to put Hemel young people ‘at centre of new relationship with Europe’ through Erasmus+

• MP for Hemel Hempstead writes to schools, colleges and Hertfordshire County Council on new opportunities for local children

• Part of initiative to broaden horizons of Hemel’s disadvantaged children

• Erasmus to enable Hemel’s young people to study and train abroad

Today (Monday 27 July), David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead has written to schools and colleges as well as Hertfordshire County Council to ask for their support in backing Erasmus+ to unlock opportunities for young people to train and study abroad, following the Labour government securing the UK’s return to the scheme.

It forms part of an initiative to ensure that young people in [constituency] get access to horizon-expanding visits, training, placements, learning opportunities and skills regardless of their background or prior connections.

At the UK-EU Summit in May, the Labour government secured a closer relationship with the EU, delivering a deal that supports jobs, cuts bills, and secures borders. The renewed relationship aligns with Labour’s approach to making the UK a great trading nation once again, securing closer cooperation with the EU while striking deals with countries like the US and India.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK pledge to scrap the deal with the EU, despite it having cut paperwork and costly red tape for businesses while opening up opportunities for young people.

Both Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage are on record in support of youth mobility schemes, leaving them open to accusations of inconsistency and political point-scoring.

But David Taylor MP sees the Erasmus deal as a valuable opportunity for Hemel’s young people – one they are seeking to grab with both hands.

David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, said:

“Joining Erasmus+ will open up opportunities again to study and train abroad regardless of background.

“I want Hemel’s young people to be at the centre of Erasmus+ and a new relationship with our European allies.

“That’s why I have written to local schools and colleges, as well as Hertfordshire County Council, to ask them to partner with me to secure those life-changing opportunities for our children.”

Erasmus+ will bring approximately £60 million in funding for schools, £80 million for Vocational Education & Training, £20 million for adult education, £40m for Youth, as well as access to a pot of c.£1bn managed by the European Commission for wider policy cooperation projects. The first funding window will open in November 2026.

The new partnership complements Labour’s wider education agenda with has brought 3 free breakfast clubs opening from September in Hemel, free school meals expanding to 4,870 local children, cheaper uniform costs, and over 2300 local children to be lifted out of poverty.