Labour accused of using taxpayer cash to fund ‘pro-EU propaganda’ at UK universities championing ‘European values’

Labour has faced criticism over public funding available to UK universities through the Jean Monnet Actions, part of the Erasmus+ scheme, for teaching about European values and citizenship. Conservative MP Alex Burghart called the programmes “pro-EU propaganda”; the dispute comes as the UK prepares to rejoin Erasmus+.

Under the deal, European students can study in Britain for a year while paying fees to their home universities, and British students can spend a year at a European university. The article says Erasmus+ will cost about £570 million next year, while the EU had sought £300 million annually for UK membership. Labour says universities choose whether to apply, teaching about EU institutions is not the same as promoting a viewpoint, and the UK secured a 30 per cent discount; it says more than 100,000 young people will gain travel and study opportunities.