PLANS to rejoin the EU’s Horizon research programme is “long overdue” as the country is now playing catch-up after missing out on collaborations, Labour and trade union Prospect said today.

The £85 billion programme is a collaboration involving Europe’s leading research institutes and technology companies.

EU member states contribute funds, which are then allocated to individuals or organisations to explore subjects such as climate change, medical advances and artificial intelligence.

As of today, Britain-based researchers can apply for grants to take part in the programme.

It follows months of negotiations between London and Brussels.

Britain will contribute around £2.2bn per year to participate in both Horizon and the Copernicus space programme under the deal.

Prospect senior deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “Britain rejoining Horizon is welcome but long overdue and we are now playing catch-up as we try to make up for lost time.

“Funding will be key to maintaining Britain as a centre of scientific excellence and regaining our status as a world power.

“Ministers now need to guarantee sustained investment across the sector — scientific expertise is critical to meeting the generational challenges we are facing.”

Shadow science, innovation and technology secretary Peter Kyle called the announcement a “relief.”

“However, this announcement is too late for many researchers, businesses and academics who have already lost out in billions of funding and taken their jobs and expertise elsewhere,” the Labour MP said.

“Our world-leading research base deserves a government that matches their ambition.”

The deal excludes Britain’s involvement in the EU nuclear technology scheme Euratom, and the government has announced a £650 million investment to put in place an alternative.