THE UK Government has been warned that dragging Scotland out of the world’s largest scientific research and innovation programme could wreck the country’s international work.
The Scottish Government urged the UK Government to confirm its association with the European Union’s €95bn Horizon fund.
The EU blocked the UK from the scheme following an ongoing dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol.
The UK insists it would like to stay inside the programme but has been drawing up alternative plans in the event the two sides fail to reach a compromise.
Now, a Scottish minister has urged the UK Government to ensure there are no further delays and to avoid damaging Scotland’s international scientific research.
Higher Education Minister Jamie Hepburn told The National: “We firmly believe that maximising participation in Horizon Europe is the best outcome for Scotland, and full association is the best way to achieve this.
“We urge the UK Government to continue with their plans for official association to the fund and to do what is in the sector's best interest.
“Our Scottish researchers and organisations have already felt the impacts of the uncertainty of Brexit in previous years, and the longer these delays continue, the greater the risks of damaging our international collaborations and research excellence further.
“If longer term domestic alternatives prove to be necessary, they must be co-developed and produced with the devolved administrations and reflect the needs of all four nations.”
Scottish Minister Jamie Hepburn urged the UK Government to ensure Scotland's place in the EU's Horizon programme
There have been warnings from the EU that science in the UK could become “collateral damage” over the protocol disputes.
The EU ambassador to the UK, Joao Vale de Almeida, said the UK’s place in the scheme was at risk of falling “victim of the political impasse”, saying it was “very regrettable.”
Universities UK last week warned that losing access to the major EU research programme would be an act of “political self-harm”.
A group of 140 universities, including 17 Scottish institutions, represented by Universities UK have raised concerns that the UK Government is set to scrap membership of the Horizon Europe scheme.
In a letter to the European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic, the universities called for support in “resolving the urgent issue”.
Now Universities Scotland, which represents further education institutions across the country, has urged the politicians on both sides to reach a deal.
Academics say valuable collaboration over climate change and food insecurity will be lost if the UK loses membership to Horizon Europe
A Universities Scotland spokesperson told The National: “Scotland’s universities punched above our weight in Horizon programmes and we want that to continue.
"Uncertainty about Horizon, set against the backdrop of a pandemic and rising costs is another issue the university sector faces, an obstruction preventing our world-class researchers from fulfilling ambitions.
“Our researchers and universities are valued partners and are wanted by our counterparts in Horizon.
"We want to be in Horizon. EU universities want us in Horizon. It’s now a case of politicians on both sides to get a deal done.”
Brexit disputes with the EU have seen the UK blocked from the largest science research and innovation programme in the world
The Labour Party said the UK Government is never going to be able to replicate Horizon and that science in the UK is being “left on the shelf”.
Shadow business minister Chi Onwurah told the Commons on Tuesday: “British business depends on British science for long-term national growth. And the number one issue facing British scientists right now is our participation in the world’s largest science funding programme, the European Union’s £95 billion Horizon programme.
“Since 2007, British scientists have won over £14 billion from Horizon, more than we put in, but it’s more than the money.
“It confers international prestige. It’s a collaborative network of over 30 countries. But let’s face it, this Government is never going to be able to replicate that. So, the Prime Minister said he had an oven-ready Brexit deal. Why is British science being left on the shelf?”
Business minister Lee Rowley replied: “The UK Government has been very clear about its desire to continue with Horizon.
"My honourable friend, the science minister, continues extensive work to try and make sure that happens.
“The EU has a choice to make and my honourable friend will be in Brussels tomorrow in order to continue that conversation.”
