London relaxes post-Brexit formalities for school trips from France

The United Kingdom on Thursday relaxed post-Brexit formalities at its border for school trips from France, which had transformed language stays into an obstacle course, a relief for the sector and a measure which could be extended to other countries. other countries. French schoolchildren attending school in France will thus be able, as before Brexit, to come to the country with a simple identity card as part of an organized trip, according to provisions coming into force on Thursday.

“In March, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met French President Emmanuel Macron and committed to facilitating travel for school groups to the United Kingdom,” a government spokesperson recalled to AFP. With the effective entry into force of Brexit in 2021, the passport had become compulsory and, for certain students of non-European nationalities, a visa currently costing 115 pounds (more than 130 euros) was also essential, even if they reside in the EU.

For the latter, the passport will remain necessary but not the visa if they are educated in France. Schoolchildren from other EU countries based in France will be able to cross the Channel without a passport. The adults responsible for the group must have a form listing the participants in the trip. The sector organization Beta UK, which saw demand for school trips collapse after Brexit and was concerned about an annual shortfall of several billion pounds for the sector, sees this as “a positive step forward”, but urges the government to go further.

Beta UK intends in particular to push for the system “to be extended to our European neighbors”, assured its director Emma English. The organization is campaigning for a scheme that would allow groups of EU nationals and residents under the age of 18 to travel to the UK for up to 6 weeks to take part in educational visits, immersions school or English language courses, in particular. “These changes are much more than a victory,” welcomed Edward Hisbergues, director of PG Trips, a school travel specialist based in France who deplored a drop in demand for the United Kingdom and students excluded from travel. due to complications or the cost of the procedures. “The United Kingdom is giving all teachers back an image of a welcoming country, which loves France,” and “these new rules will clearly intensify the comeback of French school groups” in the country, he said. added.