Quitting EU Erasmus scheme would 'blow a hole' in UK economy

Education and business leaders point to lost income for country and opportunities for students

Quitting the EU's Erasmus student exchange programme would "blow a hole" in the UK's economy, taking away income of 243m a year and depriving 17,000 British young people of valuable work experience, according to a group of education and business leaders.

The group - including further education colleges and universities - is calling for the British government to make clear that continued Erasmus membership is a high priority in its talks with the EU.