Brexit delay ‘favourable’ for UK influence over Horizon Europe

A delay to Brexit would allow the UK more influence over the shape of the European Union’s 2021-27 R&D programme Horizon Europe, the science minister has said.

Chris Skidmore described the prospect of delay as “favourable” as it would give him the chance to attend the next informal ministerial council on Horizon Europe regulations in Bucharest on 3 April. He has requested to be present at the meeting.

“If I’m able to attend that, I would be very keen to do so,” Skidmore told peers at a House of Lords Science and Technology Committee hearing on 5 March. “If we’ve left on 29 March, of course I’m not able to do so.”