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Britain is expected to rejoin the European Union's £85 billion Horizon science research programme after a two-year absence over a bitter post-Brexit row. Sources familiar with the

negotiations between the two sides said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has given the go-ahead for a deal to be finalised. An agreement could be announced within days, Bloomberg reported. A

conversation with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen would be expected before the announcement. The Telegraph reported that the EU has agreed not to charge the UK for the

two-years it was frozen out of the scheme during a post-Brexit row over Northern Ireland. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions earlier, Mr Sunak said his "priority and

preference" was to associate with Horizon but "on terms that are right for both the British taxpayer and for British science and research". In a hint at a possible

breakthrough, he added the Government had been "extensively involved in discussions" with the EU and "I hope to be able to conclude those successfully". Whitehall sources

said in July that a draft deal was with the Prime Minister, prompting scientists to cautiously celebrate the development. But Downing Street said a UK-based alternative known as Pioneer

remained on the table as Mr Sunak continued to be concerned about "value for money". Greg Clark, chairman of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said:

"If the news of the UK returning to Horizon Europe is true, it will be a welcome boost for both UK and EU science. "UK science always brings a lot to international collaborations.

Everyone gains from excellent UK researchers working with others to advance knowledge." Horizon 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 on merit. Britain's associate membership of Horizon was agreed as part of the

Brexit Trade and Co-operation Agreement, but the issue became embroiled in the dispute over the Northern Ireland Protocol. But relations have improved since Mr Sunak struck his Windsor

Framework deal with the bloc in February to resolve issues with post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland.