Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Horizon Europe

Tuesday 2 May 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions are ongoing with the EU on the UK's involvement in EU research programmes.
  • The government is confident in securing a fair deal for researchers, businesses, and taxpayers.
  • The Minister assured that the High North will remain central to all scientific work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

Discussions about the UK's potential association with the EU's Horizon Europe research programme are ongoing.

Question

What recent discussions has the government had with Cabinet colleagues on association to the EU's Horizon Europe programme?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We are in discussions with the EU on the UK's involvement in EU research programmes. We hope that the discussions will be successful and we are determined to secure a fair deal for researchers, businesses and taxpayers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific meetings or developments were not detailed; only general optimism was provided without concrete updates.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

Owen Jackson, director of policy at Cancer Research UK, expressed concerns about the UK government's proposal to replace Horizon Europe with Pioneer.

Question

Given that Owen Jackson, the director of policy at Cancer Research UK, has said that the Government's proposed replacement for EU science programme does not “match up” and warns of marginalisation if we do not rejoin Horizon Europe, will the Minister update the House on recent meetings between the UK Government and the European Commissioner responsible for Horizon Europe?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We have always been at the centre of scientific innovation. I will not give the House a running commentary, but we are confident that we will be able to secure a fair deal for researchers, businesses and taxpayers.

Not addressed: Specific meetings or developments were not detailed; only general optimism was provided without concrete updates.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 James Gray Con
Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

The UK's significant contributions to Arctic and Antarctic science have been supported by Horizon Europe.

Question

Will the Minister reassure me that our huge contribution to the High North will be replicated, and can he tell me when negotiations will finally end?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I can assure my hon. Friend that the High North will be at the centre of all our scientific work, acknowledging his important role in that region.

Not addressed: No timeline or specific reassurance was given; only a general assurance without concrete details.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Economy Science & Technology
Context

Thousands of jobs in key technological and scientific research institutions are at risk due to the delay in reaching a decision regarding association with Horizon Europe.

Question

With thousands of jobs in key technological and scientific research institutions now at risk, how long will these key institutions have to wait for an answer—days, months or yet more years?

Answer from Leo Docherty

I am not going to give a running commentary but we are negotiating in good faith and determined to secure a fair deal that recognises researchers.

Not addressed: No specific timeline or details were given; only general optimism without concrete updates was provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q5 Alyn Smith
Education Scotland Brexit
Context

There is cross-party unity in the House regarding the reintegration of UK's universities into the Horizon Europe programme.

Question

With cross-party unity and willingness from Brussels, when will the UK Government match this ambition to ensure that thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds are guaranteed for our universities?

Answer from Leo Docherty

We are willing, negotiating in good faith, and Scotland's scientific future will be part of that, reminding why Scotland is better within the Union.

Not addressed: No specific timeline or concrete updates were provided; only general statements about willingness without addressing the ambition explicitly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)