MillionPlus responds to the Brexit White Paper

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (2 February) responded to the publication of the government’s Brexit White Paper, The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“We welcome the publication of the UK government’s Brexit White Paper and its recognition of the important contribution that EU students and staff make to the UK’s world-leading university sector. However, the White Paper is silent on the role that education exports play in the UK’s current trading links with the EU and Ministers will need to do more to spell out their Brexit priorities for higher education. 

“While it is a helpful start, the White Paper leaves many questions unanswered, principally about what Brexit will mean for the UK’s current engagement with the European Higher Education Area, the European Research Area, the European Association for Quality Assurance and the Erasmus programmes as well as European Regional and Structural Investment Funds.

“Universities, staff and students will undoubtedly need more detail to fully understand what the Prime Minister’s priorities for Brexit are likely to mean in practice.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. The United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union is available here
3. The MillionPlus Policy Briefing: Trade in HE services and research - negotiating Brexit is available here
4. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk