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There have been reports that Britain and EU have agreed on a draft Horizon deal.
Professor Lord Krebs , Department of Biology, University of Oxford said;
“Last month the Government Minister for DSIT in the Lords said, in relation to the UK’s failure to re-join Horizon, that the “delays over two years have caused serious and lasting damage to UK R&D.” If today’s news is correct, and I hope it is, it may help to reverse some of this damage.”
Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Biology, said:
“An agreement on UK association to Horizon Europe would be extremely welcome news for the biosciences community. The RSB has been pressing the Government for such a resolution as the optimal outcome for UK science, innovation, and economic growth.”
Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, said:
“This deal will be celebrated by scientists in the UK and across Europe. I encourage the Prime Minister to finalise the agreement without further delay. Connections with scientists and initiatives in Europe are one of our biggest research strengths and long may they continue. I look forward to seeing this deal confirmed, re-strengthening our research relationships, and supporting scientists in tackling some of society’s biggest challenges.”
Tom Grinyer, Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics (IOP), said:
“If an agreement to join Horizon is near, this is excellent news for UK science and innovation – Horizon association with the unparalleled funding and collaboration it brings is best for science, best for business and innovation, and best for Britain.
“But indications that Britain won’t re-join Euratom’s nuclear energy R&D scheme is concerning. We need to see the final agreement to understand what this means.”
Dr Owen Jackson, Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, said:
“Cancer Research UK has continually argued that association to Horizon Europe is overwhelmingly in the best interests of people living with cancer, and the scientists and clinicians researching new ways to beat it. Reports of a draft deal for association are encouraging after months of uncertainty. We look forward to commenting on the detail of any agreement, once published.”
Prof Liam Smeeth, Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said:
“Re-joining Horizon will be a major step forward for UK science”.
Prof Sarah Main, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:
“This is an encouraging development. If confirmed, this raises the promising prospect of a deal within days, which would be the best of news for UK science. I urge the Prime Minister and President of the European Commission to secure this agreement, enabling researchers to get on with the vital role they play in improving people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said:
“The reports that an agreement may soon be reached on the UK re-joining Horizon Europe are a welcome sign of progress. We look forward to examining any agreement that is reached.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/britain-and-eu-agree-draft-horizon-deal/
Declared interests
The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.