Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 2 March 2021 to Question 157278, on EU Grants and Loans, what progress has been made on ensuring that UK entities are able to (a) participate in and (b) bid for EU funds for EU programmes between 2021-2027, including (i) the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), (ii) Horizon Europe, (iii) Euratom Research and Training and (iv) Copernicus; and if he will make a statement.

As part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the UK and the EU agreed the terms for our association to Horizon Europe, Euratom Research & Training (R&T), Fusion for Energy and Copernicus for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. As the underpinning EU legislation was not yet adopted, a Joint Declaration set out the parties’ intention to formalise UK participation at the earliest opportunity.

Now that the EU legislation is in force, the UK has communicated to the EU that it stands ready to adopt the Protocols at the earliest opportunity. We want to strengthen the valuable and long-standing partnerships in place between British and European researchers. Frustratingly, there have been persistent delays from the EU, which we have sought to address through both formal and informal discussions, so far without result. As Lord Frost set out to the European Scrutiny Committee on 25 October, the Government sees no legal or practical reason why the UK should not be able to associate, and we cannot wait indefinitely.

Pending association being finalised, UK researchers, businesses and innovators have been able to apply to Horizon Europe and Euratom R&T calls as ‘associated candidates’ since early 2021.

To provide reassurance to UK-based applicants, my Right Honourable Friend, the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation set out, in a Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS431), the Government’s intention to guarantee funding for those eligible who have successfully bid for Horizon Europe funded activities in the first wave of calls but are unable to sign grant agreements.