Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 133
133
The EU-UK Trade and Corporation Agreement, struck on 24 December 2020, confirms that—unlike Erasmus+—the UK...
Conclusion
The EU-UK Trade and Corporation Agreement, struck on 24 December 2020, confirms that—unlike Erasmus+—the UK would continue to participate in Horizon Europe following the end of the Transition Period. This decision was widely praised by the science and research sectors312 and those who gave evidence to us, including Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows who welcomed the decision,313 and Minister Lochhead, who said it was in “the best interests of Scotland”.314 Iain Stewart MP, Minister for Scotland, told us that: Horizon is an incredibly important scheme. [The UK Government] often get accused of taking a dogmatic approach, that if something has its origins in the EU, then it is intrinsically bad. That is absolutely not what we have done. We have taken a very pragmatic look. Projects like Horizon, which [ … ] deliver enormous benefits, we actively wanted to remain part of. That is what we have done in the [EU-UK Trade and Corporation] Agreement.315 UK influence in, and investment from, Horizon Europe
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The UK Government has agreed to associate with Horizon Europe through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached with the EU in December 2020. The UK Government stands ready to formalise our participation at the earliest opportunity but disappointingly there have been persistent delays from the EU. Horizon Europe gives UK researchers and innovators access to the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world and the UK will participate in all areas of Horizon with the exception of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. UK applicants are eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funding and participate on equivalent terms to organisations from EU Member States. The European Commission has published a comprehensive Q&A detailing this. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains clear provisions ensuring that the UK Government does not pay for parts of the programme we are excluded from. Our first payment will be made only once we have associated with the EU programmes agreed to in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The terms we have agreed ensure our financial contribution is fair and appropriate and participation represents a real benefit to British people and industry. As set out at SR 2021, in the event that the UK is unable to associate with Horizon Europe, the funding put aside for Horizon association will go to UK schemes, including those which would form partnerships internationally.