Devolved nations’ deal gives Aria ‘maximum autonomy’

Memorandum of understanding sets out “independence” of £800 million funder from UK government

The government has published details of an agreement with the devolved administrations to ensure “maximum autonomy” for its £800 million Advanced Research and Invention Agency.

The memorandum of understanding was drawn up following concerns raised by Scottish higher education minister Jamie Hepburn that the funder of “high-risk, high-reward” research would not have adequate independence from the UK government and that the Scottish government would not have shared oversight of the new R&D funder.