Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment of the effect on the UK's future participation in future EU Research Programmes in (a) medical research and (b) drugs of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Care: Leaving the European Union with a deal remains the Government’s priority. However, as a responsible Government, we must plan for every eventuality, including ‘no deal’.

The United Kingdom and the EU have a long record of jointly tackling global challenges, with strong existing links already in place between our research and innovation communities, and we want to continue this important collaboration in science, research and innovation, including in medical research.

The Government is committed to continuing to back UK researchers and innovators by supporting measures to enable world-class collaborative research, including support for small businesses. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is working with the National Academies, the devolved administrations and UK Research and Innovation to develop ambitious and credible alternatives to association, through which we will enable world class collaborative research.

In addition, earlier in the year, the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Chris Skidmore MP) commissioned Sir Adrian Smith to provide independent advice on international collaboration – specifically on potential future UK funding schemes in the context of the UK’s future ambitions for European and international collaboration on research and innovation. His advice will help set the direction for the implementation of the Government’s ambition to ensure the UK continues to be a global leader in science, research and innovation, and an attractive country for individuals to study and work.

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