Office for Life Sciences Bulletin - 10th July 2020

Office for Life Sciences Bulletin – 10 July 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 whilst the UK is in 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 Anisha.Visram@beis.gov.uk R&D Roadmap The government’s long-term objectives for R&D are clear: to be a science superpower and invest in the science and research that will deliver economic growth and societal benefits across the UK for decades to come, and to build the foundations for the new industries of tomorrow. This was supported by the unprecedented commitment at the Budget to increase public investment in R&D to £22 billion by 2024 to 2025.

The Roadmap marks the start of a conversation to identify: • • •

the strengths and challenges facing the sector the issues that need to be addressed how we want to work with universities, business, the third sector and across government to cement the UK’s reputation as a science superpower

This Roadmap is the start of a big conversation on what actions need to be taken and how.

This plan will only be effective if it is developed with people and organisations across the UK. BEIS welcomes responses to an online survey about research and development.

A Plan for Jobs 2020 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, presented his ‘Plan for Jobs’ to Parliament on Wednesday 8 July 2020, to outline how the government will boost job creation in the UK. Local lockdown A list of businesses and premises expected to close in Leicester from 4 July 2020 is available here. Safer travel guidance for passengers in areas under local lockdown is available here.

Global travel advice On 4 July travel advice changed, with exemptions for travelling to certain countries and territories that no longer pose a high risk for British travellers. View the list of exempted destinations. UK Government continues to advise against non-essential international travel, except to countries and territories listed. Find out more here.

Re-opening of further businesses and venues in England A number of businesses and venues in England will be able to re-open from the 11 and 13 July, please find more information 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, and watch past HMRC videos here.

Various dates – Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – How to make a claim Thursday 16 July – Coronavirus COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme Monday 13 July – Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Various dates – HMRC webinar on changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, sets out how employers will be affected, flexible furloughing, key dates and support available. Sign up here.

Workforce UPDATED - How to treat certain expenses and benefits provided to employees during coronavirus. Information about ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests’ has been added here. If you’re providing testing kits to your employees, outside of the government’s national testing scheme, either directly or by purchasing tests that are carried out by a third party, no Income Tax or Class 1A National Insurance contributions will be due.

Support to business UPDATED - A notice to display to show you have made your workplace COVID-secure is available and has been updated to reflect the change in the 2m social distancing rule. Find the notice here.

UPDATED - As an emergency response to coronavirus, Companies House developed a temporary online service to upload a number of completed forms and send them to Companies House digitally. The “upload a document” service will now allow users to upload more form types, including Scottish limited and qualifying partnerships, articles and resolutions. Find out more here.

UPDATED - More information about the July 2020 payment on account deferment has been added here.

UPDATED - The temporary removal of VAT on PPE has been extended until the end of October. Find out more here.

NEW - Access free support from experts and help your business recover from the impact of Coronavirus. The Recovery Advice for Business scheme gives small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery until 31st December. Small and medium sized businesses can sign up, take the diagnostic tool and access support. Find out more here or get started today here.

NEW - The Scottish Government published Phase 3 of its route map through and out of the crisis on 9 July. Find more information here.

MHRA updates NEW – MHRA has issued a warning that thermal cameras and other such “temperature screening” products, some of which make direct claims to screen for COVID-19, are not a reliable way to detect if people have the virus.

UPDATED – MHRA continue to work with stakeholders to develop, refine and publish updates to the regulatory flexibilities page. MHRA have updated some good manufacturing practice (GMP) sections:

• • •

manufacturing and importing sharing information with the supply chain and how manufacturers and wholesalers should notify us when using flexibilities

Useful Links • • • • • • • •

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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 To offer your support producing ventilators please contact the Business Support Helpline for England on 0300 456 3565 or ventilator.support@beis.gov.uk.

o o o o

If you have already offered to assist on the ventilators project but not received a reply, please contact existing.ventilators@dhsc.gov.uk.

Share the impact COVID-19 is having on your organisation with intel@beis.gov.uk To provide feedback on MHRA engagement please contact engagement@mhra.gov.uk 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