Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly prepared to agree to cut-price tuition fees for European Union students, a move that would align with demands from Brussels as the UK seeks to restore closer ties with the bloc. This potential shift is part of broader ambitions to reset UK-EU relations, with a summit planned for later this year.
Since the UK's departure from the EU, students from EU member states have been subject to international fees ranging from £11,400 to £38,000 annually. This contrasts with the lower domestic rate of £9,535 per year available to British students. EU officials have been advocating for parity in tuition fees for EU students with their domestic counterparts, alongside a proposed 'youth free movement' scheme.
Burnham, who has previously expressed a desire for closer alignment with the EU, is said to be ready to offer these fee discounts as part of wider discussions aimed at easing trade barriers. During a recent overnight journey to Kyiv, the Prime Minister held discussions with European Council president Antonio Costa. A statement from Downing Street following their meeting indicated that both leaders emphasized the need for 'ambitious' steps to significantly improve UK-EU relations.
Burnham conveyed to Costa that the UK should adopt a more proactive approach to strengthening its relationship with the European bloc. The readout also mentioned that the forthcoming UK-EU summit would serve as a venue to advance these cooperative efforts.
In separate discussions, Burnham met with Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden. According to Downing Street, they acknowledged the significance of cultural and educational connections between the UK and Europe in fostering opportunities for future generations of both Britons and Europeans.
