Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Horizon Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government hopes to reach a resolution on associating with Horizon Europe as quickly as possible.
  • The European Union's delay has caused serious and lasting damage to UK participation in Horizon Europe.
  • Government provided over 1.5 billion through the Horizon guarantee to support UK science sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Brexit Foreign Affairs Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from the ongoing negotiations about the UK's involvement in Horizon Europe after Brexit.

Question

What is her planned timescale for negotiating the UK's association with Horizon Europe?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We are moving forward with discussions on the UK's involvement in Horizon Europe, and we hope they will be successful. Association is our preference. The talks are continuing constructively but we have not yet agreed a deal. We want to reach a resolution as quickly as possible to give the industry certainty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timescale for negotiations was not provided

How: Constructively, Continuing Talks

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Q2 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The loss of grants and talent due to delays in the association process has raised concerns about damage to Britain's science base.

Question

Owing to the Government's delay in associating with Horizon Europe, the UK has lost out on nearly 400 high-end European Research Council grants. Nearly 50 grant winners have left the country altogether. Scientists such as Brian Cox and Sir Paul Nurse are warning that the Government's failure to act is damaging Britain's science base. Is she concerned about these failings?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Unfortunately it is the European Union that has delayed for more than two years, and that has caused serious and lasting damage to the UK's participation. What we need to do is ensure that we can get the right deal for UK researchers, UK businesses and UK taxpayers. That is what we are working to do, and we are confident that the talks are proceeding constructively.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific concerns about delays were not directly acknowledged

How: Eu Delay, Constructive Talks

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Q3 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The Government made a manifesto pledge but have not associated with Horizon Europe since Brexit, leading to concerns about broken promises.

Question

The Government made a manifesto promise to associate with Horizon Europe, but it is now 132 weeks since they took our country out of the world's biggest science fund. It is shocking but not surprising that they have broken yet another promise. How much longer will our world-leading scientists, researchers and universities wait because this Government cannot keep their promises?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We have continued to support the sector with more than £1.5 billion of the Horizon guarantee. We have done that to ensure that there is no loss of funding for the UK science sector. I think it far more important to speak directly to researchers, businesses and taxpayers about our commitment to getting the right deal than to engage in party politics here.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Manifesto pledge was not addressed directly

How: Supporting Sector, No Loss Of Funding

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Q4 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Education Science & Technology
Context

The proposed 66% increase in visa fees is a concern for the scientific community.

Question

We have two fantastic universities, the University of Bath and Bath Spa University. Their leaders continue to worry about losing talent from Europe. The Government's inaction has worsened this by proposing a 66% increase in visa fees. Will she explain what that increase will mean for UK science?

Answer from Chloe Smith

We continue to run a range of successful talent programmes that bring the best and the brightest to universities. I welcome her representing them here today. The point is that we have to get the right deal on Horizon, as I have laid out, and we also have to strike a balance with the needs of policy across Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Proposed visa fee increase was not directly addressed

How: Talent Programmes, Balance In Policies

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Q5 Oliver Heald Con
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly expressed enthusiasm for rejoining but noted it could be done faster.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is very much in Europe's interests for us to be part of the Horizon programme, because we have some of the strongest academic institutions in Europe? Does she also recognise that although there was great enthusiasm at the recent meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly for us to join again, there was also a feeling that it could surely be done a little more quickly?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I welcome my right hon. and learned Friend's insight into this issue. As I have already said, we are working consistently and steadily to get the right deal for UK science by which we mean British researchers as well as taxpayers and businesses. That is what we are doing; the talks are proceeding and I look forward to the House being able to have an update very soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recognition of benefits or expedited process was not given

How: Consistent Work, Talks Proceeding

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Q6 Saqib Bhatti Con Meriden and Solihull East
Taxation Science & Technology
Context

The questioner respects the Secretary of State's stewardship but also emphasises getting the right deal.

Question

I would like to put on record my respect for her and her excellent stewardship. I would like us to join Horizon Europe, but is it not right that we should get the right deal for our UK scientists, our UK businesses and our UK taxpayers? Any commentary before a deal is done will only undermine our science industry.

Answer from Chloe Smith

That is exactly right, and it is right for two reasons. The first is that billions of pounds of taxpayers' money are at stake and we need to be responsible stewards of that money. That is why we are focused on getting the right deal. The second point is that my Department exists to forward and further the frontier of science in this country.

Answered
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Q7 Vicky Ford Con
Science & Technology
Context

The company Teledyne e2v provides space imaging for NASA, European Space Programme and Copernicus. There is concern about the EU building Earth observation satellites that cannot see the Earth.

Question

Teledyne e2v is the world leader in space imaging providing eyes to NASA, the European Space programme and Copernicus. Can she make sure our conversations with Horizon also include Copernicus?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I welcome my right hon. Friend's interest in this area and she is absolutely right to say that we have enormous opportunity in our space sector, across a range of aspects. I know the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation would like to discuss her constituency interest further with her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Including Copernicus was not directly confirmed

How: Opportunity In Space Sector

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Q8 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Science & Technology
Context

The question addresses the ongoing negotiations regarding UK's involvement in Horizon Europe, a major international science program. The speaker references previous missed opportunities and concerns about delays affecting UK's scientific community.

Question

In Vilnius, the Prime Minister had the chance to conclude a deal allowing our scientists to participate in the world's biggest international science programme, driving innovation and sustainable growth. He did not take it, again, so the Horizon saga drags on, month after month, year after year. Are we in or are we out? The Science Minister is not in the negotiations, and the chief scientist is not in the negotiations. It is all about the Prime Minister. Does the Secretary of State understand that while the Prime Minister is dithering, our science base is withering?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Labour Front Benchers may not know from one day to the next what their policy is, but we have been consistent on this point and we are working hard to get the correct deal for UK taxpayers and UK science.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific status of UK's involvement in Horizon Europe was not addressed; instead, a general criticism towards Labour was made.

How: General Critique

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