LETTER: Right to EU vote

Currently UK university students have access to Erasmus, a scheme that provides financial assistance for them to study abroad in Europe.

From 2012 to 2013, 14,500 British students partook in this scheme.

Recently Erasmus has introduced Erasmus +, which looks to include not just university students in this cultural exchange, but also teachers, volunteers and apprentices.

There is a realisation across Europe that our economies need workers with internationally recognisable skills as well as language abilities.

That’s not to mention the EU’s £67billion research programme which is crucial to UK universities.

The UK is the second largest beneficiary of EU research funding helping us to the lead the world in cutting-edge science.

EU funding is delivered according to scientific excellence.

The UK receives £1.40 in funding for scientific research for every £1 it contributes to the EU, a clear advantage to British science and the graduates it employs.

Young people also can find career opportunities on the continent.

All EU nationals, including UK citizens, have the right to work anywhere in the EU.

It is estimated that up to 2.2 million UK national migrants are living elsewhere in the EU – compare this to the 2.5 million EU migrants who live in the UK.

The right to live and work elsewhere across the EU is often blamed for bringing a tide of migrants to our shores, when in reality it is a two-way street.

The outcome of the EU referendum will determine a great deal of our country’s future political and economic arrangements and thus, must be voted on by the youngest who shall inherit these conditions.

Steve Martin

Adur & Worthing

Lib-Dems

• Want to share your views? Send your letters by email to [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected], or post them to Letters, Editorial, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA. Remember to include your full name and address.

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