Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to take steps to work with the EU and the Horizon programme on research and innovation projects; and if she will make a statement.

The Government has been tirelessly pushing the EU to implement the UK’s association to Horizon Europe. The EU has continued to delay UK association to the detriment of researchers and businesses in both the UK and EU.

During these delays the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which was recently extended to cover all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023, enabling UK researchers to participate in international R&I projects.

If the EU’s delay continues, the Government is ready with a set of alternative programs to deploy funds set aside for Horizon fund to honour the R+D ringfence commitment made by the Chancellor at CSR21 to strengthen UK International R+D.