I have now reached a major package of agreements fulfilling commitments made at that Summit on opportunities for young people, energy market integration and trade.
I’m proud to be delivering the opportunities that the Erasmus+ scheme announced this week will give our young people in Torfaen, Gwent and across Wales.
Joining the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027 will widen opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to study and train abroad, as well as unlocking opportunities for educational, youth sector and sport staff.
As a Government we want young people, no matter their background or where they live, to have access to the best opportunities in life. That is what we are delivering with Erasmus.
This is an investment in opportunity for young people, our workforce, and our future.
The scheme offers a broader scope of activity than those that came before it – with tens of thousands more people expected to benefit from opportunities in all EU member states and several countries outside the EU.
Opportunities available on Erasmus include further education students and apprentices going on work placements in leading European companies. Higher education students can undertake study or work placements.
School groups and youth groups will have the opportunity to go on visits and exchanges.
Education staff will benefit from training, job shadowing, and learning exchanges abroad to gain new skills.
Coaches and sports staff will be able to take part in professional development activities abroad and in partnerships with other countries.
We have also made progress on several other areas. We are negotiating on electricity market integration, something that will drive investment in the North Sea and improve our energy security.
And we have secured a commitment with the EU that we will secure a food and drink deal and carbon markets linkage next year.
A food and drink deal will scrap red tape and costly paperwork for businesses, supporting jobs and bringing down prices, while linking our carbon markets will make it cheaper for our companies to move to green energy.
These are deals that will add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy, supporting British jobs and putting more money in people’s pockets.
We have always been clear we will only sign up to deals in the national interest and this one passed that test. We have secured a 30 per cent discount off the normal costs and will review our participation after ten months.
It is Labour that is strengthening relationships with allies and partners and making the UK a great trading nation once again, securing closer cooperation with the EU whilst also striking deals with countries like the US and India.
Nick Thomas-Symonds is MP for Torfaen