Lisa Nandy has said she is “horrified” by a claim that she is using Remembrance Sunday to launch “an EU membership pitch”.

The Conservatives accused the culture secretary of suggesting that Brexit had broken the bonds of peace forged by Britain’s Second World War veterans, when she announced her Erasmus+ scheme.

Speaking ahead of Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph, Ms Nandy had said: "As we remember the immense courage of those who served our country, we honour them by building the best opportunities for the next generation through closeness and collaboration with our allies."

Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative Party chairman, said: "Our veterans did not fight for a student exchange scheme. Using their sacrifice to clear a £570 million cheque to Brussels is tone deaf and frankly shameful. Lisa Nandy should withdraw this release and apologise."

In response, Ms Nandy said Remembrance Sunday “is not a time for politicking, and I'm actually kind of quite horrified that the chairman of the Conservative Party has chosen to do that”.

Speaking to Sky News today, she added: “I cannot see what is political about saying that we want young people from every part of this country to understand the contribution that their grandparents and great grandparents made, not just to us, but to many, many lives of people that just feels like a bit of a stretch.

“I think we cannot we cannot pay lip service to a generation that made that sacrifice. We have to honor them by working as hard in peace to strive for peace as they had to do in war.”

The UK will officially rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in January, enabling students and young people to study, train or gain work experience across the European Union, Ms Nandy announced earlier this week.

She said the initiative’s return after a six-year absence would help rebuild closer ties with European neighbours.

Britain departed the programme in 2020 under Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement, after the then-prime minister claimed it failed to deliver value for money.

The scheme was replaced by the Turing Scheme, which has now ended following the government’s announcement of a new agreement on Erasmus+.

Preparations for the UK to re-enter the Erasmus programme were originally outlined as part of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s post-Brexit reset agreement with Brussels in 2025.

Ms Nandy said: "After six years away, the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ programme is a clear symbol of our ambition and intent.

"This time round, we want Erasmus+ to provide every young person, from all backgrounds and all regions, the opportunity to take part and have the enriching, life-altering experience of international exchange."

Up to £400 million will be made available via the British Council to support schools, youth groups and sports teams.

The government reported securing a 30% reduction on participation fees for 2027, which it says will save taxpayers roughly £240 million.

More than £30 million has been designated for youth initiatives, specifically targeting areas with historically lower participation levels, such as the North East, East Midlands and Yorkshire.

Under the arrangements, young people can participate in short exchanges lasting several weeks, while 18-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds could be eligible for free rail travel across EU nations.

Applications are due to open later this month, with the Government anticipating that over 100,000 individuals will ultimately benefit from the arrangement.

In addition to university study programmes, Erasmus+ will allow further education students and apprentices to undertake work placements at European firms.

The programme also features exchange schemes for adult learners, school groups and sports coaches, while education staff will have access to overseas job shadowing and training opportunities.