EUROPEAN students could soon get cut-price university fees as part of Labour’s post-Brexit reset with Brussels.
The issue has become one of key demands in negotiations over a wider UK-EU deal, including a proposed youth mobility scheme.
Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly agreed to restore those lower fees during talks with Brussels earlier this month as the price for securing a date for a UK-EU summit Credit: AFP
Before Brexit, EU students paid the same tuition fees as British undergraduates Credit: Alamy
Before , EU students paid the same tuition fees as British undergraduates.
Since Britain left the bloc, they have instead been charged international fees, which can reach around £38,000 a year for some courses.
The Telegraph yesterday reported had agreed to restore those lower fees during talks with earlier this month as the price for securing a date for a UK-EU summit.
But ministers strongly disputed that account and insisted no concession had been made.
A spokesperson said: “We do not recognise these claims. We are focused on building a closer relationship with Europe that works for the British people.
“We will not give a running commentary on ongoing talks.”
It is understood the PM instead made clear any discussion on could only take place as part of a much broader future negotiation on Britain’s future economic relationship with the bloc.
The summit had been expected to seal a package including a youth mobility scheme allowing young Brits and Europeans to live, work and study in each other’s countries for a limited period.
Negotiators were also hoping to agree measures to ease cross-Channel trade barriers on food, drink and energy, alongside closer cooperation on defence and economic security.
But the July 22 meeting has since been postponed after as Prime Minister.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott last night fumed: “We should be cutting the cost of university for British students, not those from the EU.”
The Russell Group has previously warned restoring domestic tuition fees for European students could cost Britain’s universities more than £500million because they currently pay significantly higher international fees.
Around 11 per cent of the UK’s 685,565 international students come from EU countries.
Before Brexit, EU students qualified for home-fee status and could also access UK student loans, but those arrangements ended when Britain left the bloc.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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