Half a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money will be spent on rejoining the EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme. With libraries closing, criminals being let out of jail early and funding for maths and classics in schools slashed, it is the clearest indication yet of where this government’s priorities lie.

Rejoining Erasmus simply means that working people will now be funding these young people’s excursions

The decision to re-enter the Erasmus is widely touted as ‘permitting’ UK students to access study opportunities on the continent. The reality is that many university courses have always offered students the opportunity to spend some time studying abroad, whether in the EU or elsewhere. Rejoining Erasmus simply means that working people will now be funding these young people’s excursions – and that European students will be able to attend British universities with their fees subsidised by the UK taxpayer.

When one scrutinises the fine print of the new agreement, it becomes apparent that the government has deployed the same negotiating acumen that was seen in its ground-breaking Chagos Islands deal – under which the UK will be........

© The Spectator