Erasmus+, the new European programme for education, training, youth and sport will have a national agency to manage certain aspects of the funding. The previous Lifelong Learning Programme was run by both Ecorys and the British Council. They have teamed up together to bid for the new Erasmus+ contract and been successful.

In the Lifelong Learning Programme, there were a range of smaller funds which were applied to via the National Agency rather than to the European Commission. This will be the same in Erasmus+ only now the two agencies will be providing the support together.

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills estimates that the new Erasmus+ programme will be worth Euros 940 million to the UK between 2014 and 2020. It is expected to increase opportunities for international study, teaching and volunteering across Europe.

This is subject to final contractual agreements and approval by the European Commission. But it is expected they will start operating on 1 January 2014.