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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps are being taken to prevent a loss of scientific skills and expertise in the event that the UK fails to secure association to Horizon.

The UK stands ready to formalise our association to EU programmes, but disappointingly there have been persistent delays from the EU. We cannot wait forever for association to be finalised, and so we are preparing for all scenarios going forward. We will support the UK R&D sector through this uncertain period, either by association to Horizon or through the implementation of an alternative UK programme, if this proves necessary.

We are currently developing a bold and ambitious long-term UK offer that combines the benefits of Horizon association whilst also strengthening the UK’s global position and enhancing our unique selling points as a global science superpower.

It will build on the Integrated Review and R&D Roadmap and include a strong and attractive offer to encourage talented individuals to build their careers here, developing the skills and workforce the UK needs as well as investing in those areas of research and innovation which support tomorrow's economy, including technologies and missions as set out in the Innovation Strategy.