Talks on the UK participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are looking at “crunchy” financial details, Jeremy Hunt said.
The Chancellor said any agreement on UK involvement would depend upon the benefit to taxpayers.
Mr Hunt said the “optimal outcome” would be to find a way for participation in the programme to “work for the UK”.
Asked about the negotiations during a visit to Brussels, he said: “I wouldn’t describe them as stalled. I think that they are becoming more crunchy as we start to work out precisely what terms for participation in Horizon would be fair to UK taxpayers and work for the UK.
“But I think both sides recognise that it is a successful and very important programme and the optimal outcome will be to find a way where participation can work for the UK.”
Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europe’s leading research institutes and technology companies.
