REJOINING the Erasmus+ programme will benefit workers and the economy, the TUC said today.

Unions have welcomed the government’s announcement that Britain will rejoin the student exchange scheme, which will start again in January 2027.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “This is another step forward to repairing the damage of the Tories’ botched Brexit deal, which set back workers on both sides of the Channel.

“The UK rejoining Erasmus+ will provide UK workers of all ages, apprentices, school pupils and adult learners with valuable opportunities, including educational school trips, vocational training and traineeships in other countries — opportunities which have been badly missed over the past few years.

“This is good for the workers who get to benefit and good for our economy too.”

The Cabinet Office said the deal would cost around £570 million for its first year, during which time more than 100,000 Britons are expected to benefit from the scheme.