The UK will rejoin the European Union’s flagship Horizon science programme after two years of absence post-Brexit, the federal government has confirmed.

Number 10 stated the transfer would occur “through a bespoke new agreement with the EU”.

A spokesperson added Prime Minister Rishi Sunak secured “improved financial terms of association that are right for the UK and protect the taxpayer”.

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Mr Sunak stated: “We have worked with our EU partners to make sure that this is right deal for the UK, unlocking unparalleled research opportunities, and also the right deal for British taxpayers.”

Scientists known as the announcement “tremendous news”.

Horizon is a collaboration involving Europe’s main analysis institutes and know-how firms which sees EU member states contribute funds which are then allotted to people or organisations on advantage.

The UK was negotiating a deal to stay within the €95.5bn programme, however talks stalled over Brexit-related disagreements reminiscent of Northern Ireland.

In the 2 years for the reason that UK was eliminated, Downing Street has stepped in to match EU grant cash misplaced.

However, scientists warned that UK researchers have been lacking out on collaboration with colleagues in Europe.

Professor Paul Stewart, from the Academy of Medical Sciences stated the return “marks a pivotal moment for UK science”.

“After a hiatus, the scientific community is celebrating the tremendous news that we are once more part of the EU’s flagship funding programme,” he stated.

“Health research is an international endeavour, it relies on supporting the best ideas, but also on creating cross-border networks which is good news for the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

“Association sends a really sturdy message that the UK is open for enterprise and stays a main vacation spot to work on well being analysis and innovation to enhance lives.”

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The authorities stated UK researchers can apply for grants and bid to participate in tasks underneath the Horizon programme from at present.

As nicely as Horizon the UK will be part of the EU’s house programme, Copernicus, but it will not take part in the bloc’s nuclear technology scheme, Euratom.

Deal ‘not mission creep again into EU’

It had been hoped {that a} British return to Horizon would observe in the wake of the Windsor Framework deal, agreed in February and designed to deal with issues over post-Brexit preparations in Northern Ireland.

Whitehall sources stated in July a draft deal was with the prime minister – however Downing Street stated a UK-based different referred to as Pioneer additionally remained an choice as a result of Mr Sunak was involved about “value for money”.

According to the EU’s estimate, Britain will contribute round £2.2 billion (virtually 2.6 billion euros) per 12 months to take part in each Horizon and the Copernicus.

Michelle Donelan, the secretary of state for science, denied the transfer was “mission creep back into the EU”.

She instructed Sky News: “This is fantastic news, not just for British scientists and researchers but also the British taxpayer.

“What we’re saying at present is a superb deal, a deal that many stated we cannot be capable to get.”

Under the terms of the deal, the UK will not need to pay into the scheme for the two years it was absent, with costs under the programme beginning again in January 2024.

The government also pointed to the inclusion of a so-called “clawback” mechanism, which will mean that the UK will be compensated if British scientists receive significantly less money than the UK puts into the programme.

Ms Donelan said the deal also includes an overperformance indicator, which means the UK won’t be penalised for overperforming “so we will actually again our British scientists to realize”.

Deal ‘too late’ for many researchers

Labour called the deal a “reduction” but said it comes “too late” for many researchers.

Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “I feel there’s a sense that we’ve misplaced two years, that this could have occurred two years in the past and that could be a large loss.”

He said the decision not to join Euratom is a “hole” Labour will look at.

However, Mr Sunak told science reporters during a visit to Warwick University that the fusion industry said “loud and clear” it did not want to associate with the programme and they would rather have a “bespoke UK scheme”.