SNP in plea over post-Brexit university funding

The UK Government must ensure Scottish universities do not lose out on millions of pounds of funding after Brexit, the SNP has said.

Figures compiled for the party by the House of Commons Library show Scottish institutions had received just under 165 million euro (£142 million) in Horizon 2020 funding for 307 projects as at May this year.

The University of Edinburgh had received more than 64 million euro (£55 million) under the European Union's biggest research and innovation programme, while the University of Glasgow was given more than 35 million euro (£30 million).

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth urged the UK Government to go further than its commitment to underwrite funding only for Horizon 2020 projects approved before the UK officially leaves the EU.

She said: "These new figures show just how vital EU funding is to our universities, going some way to helping our higher education sector maintain its reputation as a leader in research and innovation.

"The lack of certainty provided by the Tories puts this reputation on the line, risking the cream of our research talent simply walking away.

"So far, the UK Government has only confirmed that it will underwrite funding received through Horizon 2020 for projects confirmed before the UK leaves the EU - meaning that our universities could lose out on millions of pounds in funding after Brexit.

"This level of uncertainty simply isn't good enough, and is the last thing our universities need in a competitive environment.

"Given that it is the actions of the Tory Government which has brought this situation about, it would be completely unacceptable for them to simply abdicate responsibility and leave universities to pick up the pieces.

"The fact is that Scotland chose to be part of Europe and to maintain our access to funding sources like Horizon 2020. The UK Government must now give a commitment to ensure that Scotland's universities do not lose out on vital support."

• Scottish News