‘Good news for science’: EU chief says Brexit deal means UK can join Horizon

European Commission president says she wants to ratify UK membership of £80bn scheme

Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal with the EU was hailed as “good news” for scientists, as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen revealed she wanted to ratify UK membership of the Horizon scheme.

Britain’s membership of the £80bn continent-wide research programme has been on hold ever since Brexit, with Tory ministers vowing to go alone and set up an independent scheme.

But Ms Von der Leyen said the Northern Ireland Protocol deal announced today would mean she would start work on an agreement for UK membership “immediately” after it is implemented.