Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled EM on a report on implementation of the TCA (COM(2026)166), published on 15 May 2026, para 12, what the estimated cost is of the strengthened UK participation in Pillars II and III of Horizon.

In the current financial year the UK has allocated £2.1 billion for association to EU programmes, this includes association to Horizon Europe, Copernicus, and the Horizon Guarantee. This covers access to the entire programme including pillars 2 and 3, giving our researchers and businesses the ability to participate confidently in the world's largest research and innovation programme. Thanks to constructive collaboration between the UK and the EU, the vast majority of the limited exclusions we faced on sensitive technology calls have been lifted.