'Life-changing' learning exchange programme cut by 38%

There have been 9,838 participants in the Taith programme

The target for an international learning exchange programme which the Welsh government says offers "life-changing" experiences is being reduced by 38%.

Rising travel costs are among the factors behind the government's decision to reduce the target for the Taith programme from 25,000 journeys to 15,500 by September 2027.

The Welsh government said "Taith prioritises flexibility and impact over volume".

The Conservatives said they would "scrap Taith altogether" and focus on raising school standards. Plaid Cymru said Labour "consistently abandoned its targets, and it's the people of Wales paying the price".

Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells reduced the target

Further and Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells told the Senedd in June that she finds "the real stories and experiences" of people who have taken part in the Taith (Welsh for journey) programme "truly inspiring".

"I was particularly interested to hear recently about a project bringing together young people and staff from Ysgol Greenhill [in Tenby, Pembrokeshire] with a children's rights organisation, a local youth service and a grass-roots anti-violence partner in New Zealand," she said.

"It was a powerful project where participants explored ways to address gender-based violence and to reinforce the impact that individuals and organisations can have in tackling it."

By the end of 2025, almost £30m of Taith funding will have been awarded since its launch.

Brexit

The UK's participation in the European Union's Erasmus student exchange programme ended after Brexit.

The Welsh government launched Taith in 2022, while the UK government created the Turing Scheme for study and work placements around the world.

There have been 10,596 journeys through Taith so far, involving 9,838 participants.

An interim evaluation of Taith by social and economic researchers Wavehill in June 2025 rated it as offering good to excellent value for money across most performance indicators.

Wavehill created a video which showcases the participants' perspective of Taith.

A Welsh government spokesperson told the BBC the target for the number of journeys was cut "due to a number of factors, including rising travel costs".

"The programme also continues to support collaborative projects, which have a higher cost per participant but deliver broader, long-term benefits.

"Taith prioritises flexibility and impact over volume, ensuring that each funded mobility and learning experience is meaningful and tailored to the needs of participants."

The Welsh Conservatives' education spokesperson, Natasha Asghar, said "travelling, studying, and working abroad can unlock major benefits and opportunities for individuals, there's no denying that".

"However, there is already an international student exchange programme in place by the UK government.

"The Welsh Conservatives therefore welcome this reduction, but we would go further and scrap Taith altogether and focus resources on raising the standards in our schools."

Plaid Cymru education spokesperson Cefin Campbell said "shifting the goalposts on targets they're set to miss has become an unwelcome habit of Labour in Wales".

"On waiting lists, on child poverty, and now on Taith, Labour has consistently abandoned its targets, and it's the people of Wales paying the price."

He called for a further assessment of the impact of the decision, "particular on the ability of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to travel for education in Europe".