Brexit: retaining the UK’s role in EU innovation
©Thomas Hawk

Brexit: retaining the UK’s role in EU innovation

The UK government has published a science and innovation paper which outlines its position on how the UK can develop its future relationship with the EU.

The paper acknowledges key arguments from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) concerning the need to maintain a close relationship with the EU, whilst referencing the UK’s leading role in European research and innovation.

Tom Thackray, CBI director of innovation, urged the government to seek bespoke association in any final deal to ensure that the UK would retain its position.

In the paper, two points are articulated: the UK and EU should work together to seek an agreement and to establish a framework for future collaboration.

Further, the paper outlines how the UK and the EU have benefitted from collaborations formed through the Horizon 2020 and through previous framework programmes.

In negotiations, the government aims to develop the pre-existing relationship to inform what a future partnership could look like.

A second emphasis is placed upon the importance of future agreements facilitating bilateral and multilateral research relationships and researcher mobility.

The paper discusses the possibility of the UK maintaining links with individual member states post-Brexit, with access to high-level skills and the UK remaining as an attractive destination for international talent.

The CBI will meet with stakeholders and policymakers to discuss options for the UK, and ways of ensuring that the UK can retain its participation in European innovation.