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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Editorial

The Guardian view on a new deal for travel in Europe: bring back student exchanges

Female students at a university graduation ceremony, wearing gowns and mortar boards.
‘In 2019-20 almost 17,000 UK students and trainees undertook placements under Erasmus, while 22,000 European young people came for similar stays in the UK.’ Photograph: Chris Ison/PA

Strong hints that a rebranded “youth opportunity scheme” will top the EU’s wishlist at next month’s EU-UK summit are good news for anyone who regrets the diminished travel opportunities that were one result of Brexit. Rising expectations of new European train routes – possibly including direct trains from London to Italy – can only add to the appeal of a potential rule change.

There were more consequential impacts of Brexit than restrictions on travel. The disruption of trade, which is predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility to cause a 4% reduction in long-run productivity, is far more significant economically. Drug shortages continue to create risks to people’s health, and cause problems for doctors and pharmacists. Cancer research and trials have also been badly affected, according to a new report, because of the increased difficulty of attracting scientists and funding.

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