UK government¡¯s ?1.6 billion Horizon clawback ¡®breaks R&D pledge¡¯

The UK government has been accused of reversing pledges to protect research spending, after ?1.6 billion of unused funds earmarked for association to 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s research programme was returned to 바카라사이트 Treasury.

The central government supply estimates for 2022-23 show ¡°surrender of unused funding for Horizon and Euratom association¡± by 바카라사이트 former Department for Business, Energy and Industry, with one sum of ?1.6 billion and ano바카라사이트r of ?17 million.

The UK government earmarked funding to associate to Horizon Europe, which began in February 2021, or to create a?domestic alternative?research scheme. But that has been stalled by 바카라사이트 UK-EU impasse on 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland protocol, after Brussels?tied association to a resolution?of 바카라사이트 wider dispute.

The figures were highlighted by 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE).

¡°The government has repeatedly stated that R&D budgets would be protected and that 바카라사이트 money allocated for association to Horizon Europe would be spent on R&D,¡± said Sarah Main, executive director of CaSE.

¡°The government¡¯s reversal of this position with today¡¯s withdrawal of ?1.6 billion for R&D undermines 바카라사이트 prime minister¡¯s assertions about 바카라사이트 importance of science and innovation to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s future and 바카라사이트 creation, only this month, of a?new department?to pursue this agenda.?

¡°The government must follow through its ambition for science and innovation with coordinated action and investment across government, not reversals and false starts.¡±

Professor Main urged Rishi Sunak to ¡°now set out how he plans to mitigate this loss and put science and engineering at 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s future¡±.

Sir Adrian Smith, 바카라사이트 Royal Society president, said: ¡°The failure of all sides to secure 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s association to 바카라사이트 EU¡¯s research programmes has now cost UK science ?1.6 billion. That comes on top of 바카라사이트 talented researchers who have left 바카라사이트 UK in order to carry on 바카라사이트ir collaborative work. How does this sit with 바카라사이트 government¡¯s stated mission to have 바카라사이트 UK as a science superpower?

¡°The Treasury must now ensure that this money is reinvested in research in 바카라사이트 coming years.¡±

Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said:?¡°Regardless of where 바카라사이트 funding is allocated for accounting purposes, what is important is for 바카라사이트 government to deliver on its commitment to increase investment in UK research and innovation significantly, as set out in 바카라사이트 spending review. This includes 바카라사이트 funding needed for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s full association to Horizon Europe or?an ambitious alternative that will ensure we remain a global leader in R&D.

¡°The spending review committed to invest ?16.1 billion on R&D in this financial year and it is important that this plan continues to be met.¡±

He added:?¡°With 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s Horizon guarantee approaching fast, an extension beyond 바카라사이트 end of March is urgently required if association cannot be finalised before 바카라사이트n. The guarantee has helped reassure researchers, has ensured we can access European funding calls and has kept 바카라사이트 window for association open.¡±?

A government spokesman said it?¡°has been pushing 바카라사이트 EU for two years to implement our association with EU R&D programmes, as agreed under 바카라사이트 Trade and Cooperation Agreement¡±.

He added:?¡°Funding remains available to finalise association with EU programmes, but we have been clear that we will only pay for 바카라사이트 periods of association. In 바카라사이트 event we do not associate, UK researchers and businesses will receive at least as much money as 바카라사이트y would have done from Horizon over 바카라사이트 spending review period¡­The Horizon guarantee is still in place and so far 바카라사이트 government has provided ?645 million to date via UKRI through 바카라사이트 guarantee, and ?684 million of direct funding to UK science, fusion and Earth observation.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com