Office for Life Sciences Bulletin – 13 November 2020
OLS Introduction The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) is a joint unit between the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This bulletin aims to keep the life sciences sector up to date on the latest guidance as we approach the end of the Transition Period and during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, providing you with information from Government to help your members and networks prepare. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email Sonia.Davies@officeforlifesciences.gov.uk
Transition Guidance UPDATED - Exporters with an interest in various sectors should check to see if their items are on the dual-use control list by using the Goods Checker Tool. They can also use the Control List Classification Service on the online export licensing system. If you do not have a licence to export – your goods may be stopped by Customs. UPDATED - UKNI guidance and clarification surrounding grace periods for registering medical devices on GB, NI and EU markets. For more information, click here.
Events Government departments are hosting a series of free webinars to help businesses understand the support available. Keep up to date with all the latest available webinars here, watch past HMRC videos here and find videos to help you learn more about trading with the EU from 1 January here. Various dates – Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Various dates – Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing webinar. Register here.
Various dates – Register for free webinars to learn more about what you need to do to export animals, fish and high-risk foods not of animal origin from 1 January 2021. Tuesday 17 November – IPO webinar, covering changes to registration of EU Trade Marks and Designs, how parallel trade with the EU will change after 1 Jan 2021, changes to copyright licencing and operational changes to office processes for the registration of trade marks, designs and patents after the end of the transition period. Register here. Wednesday 18 November - Using personal data from 1 January 2021, register here.
Wednesday 25 November – ABHI Regulatory Conference: Split into two parts, the morning session will focus on regulatory strategy, the shift towards global harmonisation and how, post-Brexit, regulation can contribute to the attractiveness of the UK as a place to develop and distribute health technologies. The afternoon session will address the practical elements of the UKCA mark, how this route will interact with Europe, and the actions companies need to undertake to ensure compliance. Please find more information and register here.
Workforce
NEW - Find out if you can use the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme to claim back employees’ coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The online service to claim back SSP is now available. For more information on who can use the scheme, click here. UPDATED – Guidance has been updated with details of how to claim under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for periods after 1 November 2020. Please find more information here. UPDATED – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme guidance for company directors with an annual pay period has been updated here.
Business Support NEW - The Bounce Back Loan Scheme enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak. New options are available to top up existing loans, extend the loan period, make interest-only repayments, or pause repayments. The scheme is open to applications until 31 January 2021. If you already have a Bounce Back Loan but borrowed less than you were entitled to, you can top up your existing loan to your maximum amount. You must request the top-up by 31 January 2021. For more information about the scheme click here. UPDATED – Companies House have updated their guidance, you can now appeal a late filing penalty online here. For the latest Companies House information, click here. UPDATED - Information for Scottish businesses has been updated to reflect updates to UK government business support from 5 November. For more information, click here. UPDATED - Freight exemption removed for UK haulage drivers arriving from Denmark: UK haulage drivers arriving from Denmark are now required to self-isolate on entry to England. For more information, click here.
UPDATED – MHRA have updated guidance on medical devices given exceptional use authorisations during the COVID-19 pandemic, please find more information here. UPDATED – MHRA clinical trials applications for COVID-19 guidance has been updated, please find more information here.
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Gov.uk/transition provides a central hub of resources for the transition period You can sign up to email alerts about the transition period on GOV.UK at this link. Sign up for Home Office email updates about developments on the status of EU citizens in the UK after we leave the EU and the next steps for EU citizens in the UK at this link. Access the ‘Check How to Export Goods’ tool here for the information you need to export goods out of the UK market. Click here for more information and advice on exporting. Click here for updated information on the Covid-19 response from the Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health England. Click here for a list of Business Representative Organisations and Trade Associations you can speak with to get advice. Specific information for businesses and employers in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales is available. In England, Growth Hubs can advise on local and UK Government business support. COVID 19 key contact details: o General offers of help from industry: gcfcovid19enquiries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, or visit this webpage. o Share the impact COVID-19 is having on your organisation with intel@beis.gov.uk o To provide feedback on MHRA engagement please contact engagement@mhra.gov.uk o To call the Business Support Helpline in England please dial FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098, Scotland 0300 303 0660, Business Wales 0330 060 300 and Invest Northern Ireland 0800 181 4422