​On 26 February 2015 SEDEC Commission hosted the debate with Mr Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research and Innovation. During the debate Mr Stewart Maxwell MSP, said on behalf of EA Group that EU research funding is increasingly important in financial crisis aftermath. Highlighting that investment in research and innovation is crucial to boost growth and create jobs across Europe he presented his concerns concerning the risk of cuts in the RTD budget in favor of investment package.
 
He referred to the Scottish Government's Horizon2020 Industrial Leadership Innovation in SMEs programme as a good example which is helping to create jobs and boost growth. The programme has a total EUR 616 million available for innovation in SMEs.