Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of leaving the EU on early-phase clinical research.

The Government has made clear that a key priority through the negotiations will be to ensure that the United Kingdom remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation, including on early phase research and clinical trials. Every Government department, including the Department of Health and Social Care, is planning to deliver a smooth exit under any scenario, which includes preparing the UK for the future economic partnership we hope to negotiate with the European Union, as well as the very unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory agreement can be reached and the UK exits without a deal.

The UK is already a preferred destination for EU and global clinical trials – where much early phase research is concentrated. The Government has been clear that it is in the interest of patients and the Life Sciences industry across Europe for the UK and EU to find a way to continue cooperation in the field of clinical trials, and for continued sharing of data and information, even if our precise relationship with the EU will by necessity change. The Government is committing to being as aligned with the new EU Clinical Trials Regulation as we possibly can be, subject to the outcome of the future relationship negotiation.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) provides the support, expertise and facilities that the National Health Service needs to undertake world-leading early-phase research funded by the NIHR, and other public, charity and life sciences industry partners, by funding a range of infrastructure facilities. Through NIHR and its partners, and by close collaboration with the life sciences sector and industry, the Government will ensure that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for research, science and innovation.