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Chair Comments on publication of the Smith-Reid Review

5 November 2019

The Government have today, 5 November, published the report Changes and Choices, co-authored by Professor Sir Adrian Smith and Professor Graeme Reid, which provides independent advice on the design of UK funding schemes for international collaboration, innovation and curiosity-driven blue-skies research.

Commenting on the publication of the Review, Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the Committee said:

“My Committee strongly advocates the UK's future association with Horizon Europe. Although today's Smith-Reid Review does not seek to address this question directly, it makes clear the benefit of international collaboration for scientific research and business innovation, and the importance of maintaining the levels of funding that the UK currently receives from the EU. Along with recommendations on achieving 2.4% and supporting all regions of the UK, this Review ties in with several of my Committee's Reports this Parliament.

“The science community needs clarity on the Government's post-Brexit vision, and the Government's response to this Review must be comprehensive and swift. The Review stresses the need for early consideration to be given to setting up a group to oversee further, more detailed, preparations. I agree.

“With the Review appearing to have been completed in July, it is very disappointing that the Government has held its publication back until the last day of this Parliament. I expect that the recommendations of this Review, and the Government's response, will be areas for the future Science and Technology Committee to scrutinise in detail.”

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