Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what her Department's planned timescale is for the implementation of the UK’s association to Horizon Europe; and for what reasons association has been delayed.

The Government’s position has, for two years since signing the TCA, been to associate with Horizon Europe for deeper innovation collaboration. The EU’s signal of openness to now renew those discussions is welcome, following two years of delays.

We continue to be ready to work swiftly and constructively together on a range of issues including UK association, which will need to properly reflect the financial reality that we are now over 2 years into the 7 year programme and have had to commit significant funds to both the Horizon guarantee and support for the UK sector.