Why is the government making life as difficult as possible for UK science?

As a former physics teacher, I am a member of the Institute of Physics which says: “The
physics community is clear that the UK needs a strong, comprehensive vision for R&D and a
stable policy environment that will build confidence among the research community and
potential investors. Association to Horizon is the best way to achieve this.”

Once the Windsor Agreement on Northern Ireland was signed with the EU in February,
there was no longer any bar to rejoining the Horizon scientific programme. But the
government has dragged its feet for months, leaving the British scientific community in
limbo.

Professor Dame Anne Glover, biologist and president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,
says: “Any further uncertainty undermines our scientific community and we are in danger of
fiddling while Rome burns.”

New Zealand is probably about as from Europe as you can get, but NZ has just joined Horizon as an associate member.

Prime Minister, stop counting the beans and get on with it!