Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on whether funding for research partners in UK-led research consortia would be provided by (a) the UK or (b) the EU if the UK chooses to associate to the next EU Framework Programme as a third country.

The next EU Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, is still being negotiated through the EU Institutions and we are currently working with them to develop the Programme. There are a number of elements of this package yet to be agreed, including the provisions on third country association and the Programme budget. These elements need to be finalised before we can make an informed decision on future UK participation. We look forward to constructive discussions with the Commission in due course.

We have made clear that regardless of EU exit, we look forward to continuing our relationship in research and innovation. The Government is committed to continuing to back UK researchers and innovators by supporting measures to enable world-class collaborative research, including support for small businesses.