Britain to pay £2billion to rejoin the EU’s Horizon research programme as science chiefs praise decision by Rishi Sunak to agree deal to let them take part in the scheme

• Read more: Britain rejoins the EU’s £85billion flagship Horizon science 

Britain is to pay Brussels £2.2billion a year to rejoin the EU’s scientific research programme Horizon.

After months of wrangling over the bill, Rishi Sunak yesterday agreed a deal that would allow UK scientists to take part in what he described as ‘the world’s largest research collaboration programme’.

The move was welcomed by scientists who had warned that plans for a programme in Britain would struggle to compete with the EU’s well-established scheme which has access to an £81billion funding pot. 

But some Brexiteers questioned the cost. Downing Street refused to rule out other ‘pay to play’ deals with the EU which could see Britain make financial contributions in return for access to things such as the Frontex border system. 

Sir Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, said he was ‘thrilled to see that partnerships with EU scientists can continue’. 

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

The Prime Minister visits the international manufacturing centre at the University of Warwick earlier today

He added: ‘This is an essential step in strengthening our global scientific standing.’

Universities UK chief Vivienne Stern said the decision would be greeted with ‘relief’. 

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak says he’s struck the ‘right deal’ with the EU

She told the BBC: ‘I was looking at one project which is mapping the human brain – a project involving 500 researchers in 16 countries – it’s been going on for ten years. The scale is impossible through national funding mechanisms.’ 

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said the deal was ‘in the best interests of cancer patients and scientists’.

But former Tory Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood issued a warning on the cost, saying: ‘We need to make sure UK science gets as much money from it as they can have if we run our own scheme’.

Mr Sunak said innovation was vital for the economy, adding: ‘We have worked with our EU partners […] to unlock unparalleled research opportunities.’

The UK was frozen out of the Horizon scheme after Brexit because of a dispute with Brussels over trading arrangements with Northern Ireland.

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