Government backtracks on plan to cut Erasmus payments

The Spanish government has been forced to backtrack on plans to cut payments to thousands of Erasmus students studying abroad – within five days of the plan being announced.

Education Minister José Ignacio Wert, who has cut Erasmus grants by 77% – from €65.8 million to €15.3 million (US$89 million to US$21 million) – in the past two years, had sought to eliminate state subsidies for Spanish students who do not receive the general state grant.

However an unexpected backlash led by students, backed by the European Union (EU) and then by rebels within his own party, forced a change of strategy.

The minister had argued for a ‘sacrifice’ on behalf of wealthier families and students, saying that in the context of the economic crisis his aim was to increase the grant, from €150 to a maximum of €300, to those who are most economically disadvantaged.

But many students who are now abroad, and who have committed themselves to a specific level of expenditure under the previous system, reacted angrily to the possibility of only receiving the €115 per month guaranteed by the European Commission.

Iñaki Talens, a science of physical activity and sport student in Italy, who was following official bulletins particularly closely because he had received no grant at all, noticed the announcement at the weekend and posted the message on his Facebook page.

Within 24 hours more than 7,000 students had read the news and had started planning demonstrations for 15 and 16 November across Spain, according to a report in the Spanish national newspaper El Mundo.

Opposing political parties then immediately criticised the measure as "opportunistic" and "ideological" and said it had been brought in through the back door without any prior debate or notice.

EU spokesperson Olivier Bailly added his support by saying: “The decision taken by the Spanish authorities should have been announced to the students before the university year began.

“We hope that the legitimate expectations of students who are already studying on the Erasmus programme will be met.”

This pressure, plus a rebellion within the education minister's own party, led to the climb-down.

However Miguel Jerez Santiago, who studies English literature in Birmingham, pointed out that students had now only won assurances for courses starting in 2013: “What will happen to Erasmus students next year?” he asked.

Cuts to research

The move came in the context of previously unknown levels of cuts to Spanish research and higher education.

For example, the National Fund, which finances competitive research projects and contracts, had a €273 million budget in 2013 – approximately half that of four years ago.

The Spanish National Research Council, CSIC, which is the largest public scientific research institute in the country, has faced a 30% cut in expenditure since 2009.

It was plunged into further crisis last July when due to lack of funds CSIC President Emilio Lora-Tamayo imposed expenditure limits that were going to lead to closed buildings, lack of materials, and restrictions on funding that scientists had won in state or international competitions.

Despite making €50 million savings in 2013, CSIC required a further €100 million to meet its obligations. On 18 October the government stepped in with a €70 million credit to add to a previously announced €25 million, a sum that the president says will avert the crisis for 2013.

The move was welcomed by the Confederation of Spanish University Presidents, but they noted that 60% of Spanish research takes place in universities.

“Huge budget cuts have placed Spanish research in a dire situation,” said a spokesperson. “Only a radical and immediate change of policy…can prevent our country, once again, missing the train of modernity.”