Press release: Research funding Brexit blow

East End MP David Linden questioned the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, over the additional research funding needed by UK Universities to maintain their programmes, now that the UK has left the EU.

During the Brexit negotiations, the UK Government agreed that, in exchange for a contribution to the EU budget, the UK will join the upcoming Horizon Europe Research programme.

However, despite claims by the UK Government that this deal is a success, many academics have highlighted the loss of UK influence of the Horizon programme, including how the money is spent as those decisions are exclusive to EU member states.

The UK will have to pay an association fee to take part in EU programmes, but UK researchers will still be excluded from programmes such as the European Innovation Council Accelerator, a new equity fund that invests in tech start-ups.

Challenging the Secretary of State for Education in the House of Commons today, Glasgow East MP David Linden said that the UK Government had “no consideration” for University research programmes and the funding they receive.

Speaking from the House of Commons, David Linden MP said:

"Under the Horizon 2020 programme, the UK consistently received more money out than it put in. Under the terms of this agreement, the UK is set to receive no more than it contributes.

"This latest blow comes in the wake of the uncertainty caused by the Chancellor's one-year spending review, which has stifled innovation and non-core research.

"Whilst Universities in Scotland were relieved to see a commitment to Horizon Europe in the Joint Agreement, the UK Government must provide additional funding to ensure that their overall level of funding is maintained.

"Ultimately, the Tory Government needs to provide more clarity on the additional funding that they need to provide in order to maintain the same level of research funding for UK universities."