Researchers and Innovators have repeatedly asked for membership to Horizon Europe, but the government still refuses to do what's best for the country. The Liberal Democrats are the party who have most loudly and proudly defended the UK's position in Horizon. As an opportunity for scientists, researchers and innovation, it is a failure of government to deprive the UK from access to the scheme.
"Refusing to sign up to research cooperation with Europe would be a senseless act of self-harm. We've seen too many false dawns over Horizon Europe, every day that is wasted means more scientists deprived of funding.
The Government has trashed our relationship with Europe, put up needless trade barriers and prevented scientists from cooperating on everything from tackling climate change to curing cancer.
It's vital that Rishi Sunak approves this deal as soon as possible - it's a no brainer.”
- Layla Moran, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Science, Innovation & Technology, July 2023
For centuries, the UK has been a world leader in research and innovation: from the steam-engine to the world-wide-web, it is a tradition we should uphold. That's why, when the Conservative removed the UK from the European Union and failed to maintain association with Horizon Europe (the world's largest research funding scheme, investing just shy of €100bn over 7 years), disappointment hit the UK's research leaders. Nobel Prize winner, Sir Paul Nurse, called the replacement 'Pioneer' programme 'rather weak', a view echoed by Universities UK CEO Vivienne Stern, who said "people can’t stop calling it [Pioneer] plan B, and that’s because it’s not as good as Plan A [Horizon Europe]".
Whilst the EU has increased the accessibility (making it easier for non-EU countries to join Horizon) and the affordability (agreeing to let the UK avoid payment for the first two years of Horizon), the Conservatives continues to refuse to work with the EU and join Horizon.
EDIT: On the recent announcement that the UK will be rejoining Horizon Europe, take a look at our news report below!
Mike Galsworthy, Chair of the European Movement, welcomes the decision by the UK government to re-join the EU Horizon's research and development programme.
It's only taken two years, but the UK Government has finally caught on to Liberal Democrat calls to rejoin Horizon Europe.
Michelle Donelan, the UK government's Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, made a statement in parliament on re-joining Horizon Europe.
Our Chair, Rob Harrison, had the privilege of visiting CERN in Geneva today. Founded in the 1950s as an international organisation, the research labs are located on the Franco-Swiss border.
Liberal Democrat MP, Layla Moran, is one of the sponsors of a parliamentary Early Day Motion calling on the government to commit to associating with the European Union's Horizon Europe programme for science and technology.
