Health Secretary Matt Hancock has called on the UK’s life sciences and pharma industries, universities and public agencies to unite in the development of a world-leading diagnostics industry to fight COVID-19.
Speaking at today’s Downing Street Press Conference, the newly recovered health secretary said Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director, NHS England, would be leading a coalition of commercial pharma companies, universities and researchers to deliver on his target of 100,000 tests per day.
Their mission would be both to scale up the antigen testing – which shows whether someone currently has COVID-19 – as well as support development of an accurate and reliable antibody test – which demonstrates whether someone has had COVID-19 in the past, and is now safe to return to work.
Mr Hancock started the conference by explaining the challenges the government had faced in scaling up for testing, admitting that while the UK had leading scientists and researchers, it fell far behind other countries such as Germany in its access to swabs and diagnostic laboratories.
“We are bringing together the best minds and best science that the country has to offer …. to build a new industry from scratch and it isn’t easy.” he said. “We may not have started this with a large diagnostics industry, but that doesn’t mean we can’t create one.”
Earlier in the day, figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed more than 25% of UK firms are reducing staff levels in the short term, re-confirming the economic impact of the virus.
27% of the 3,642 businesses responding to the ONS’ Business Impact of Coronavirus Survey said they were reducing staff levels, with 45% reporting turnover being ‘lower than expected’ for the period 9-22 March this year. 46% of those responding said they had encouraged staff to work from home, with nearly 30% of businesses decreasing working hours to manage their workforce. Only 5% of businesses said they were recruiting staff in the short term.
Additional new guidance
Moving goods through customs during the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about moving goods and clearing customs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak here.
Customs authorisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out about temporary changes to customs policy and authorisations to assist businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak here.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses
The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read this page for regular updates.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): notification of data controllers to share information
Notification of data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here.
Exceptional good distribution practice (GDP) flexibilities for medicines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance for industry on flexible approaches we are taking on good distribution practices – click here.
Producing hand sanitiser and gel for coronavirus (COVID-19)
Temporary changes to the use and supply of denatured alcohol and duty-free spirits, to help businesses who produce hand sanitiser and gel. Information has been updated about requirements that must be followed to make sure sanitiser products are safe to use – click here.
Business support packages: latest updates
- Extra protection for businesses with ban on evictions for commercial tenants who miss rent payments – click here
- Financial assistance for employers unable to pay statutory redundancy payments – click here
- The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – click here.
- Deferring VAT and Income Tax payments – click here.
- Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs – click here
- 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England – click here
- Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief – click here
- Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 – click here
- The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5million for SMEs through the British Business Bank – click here. OPEN
- A new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans – click here. OPEN
- The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme – click here
The government has set up a business support helpline, which is open Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm. More information can be found here. The latest UK Government advice can be found here.
There is a dedicated Government Business Support site here.
Government COVID-19 FAQs
Frequently asked questions for businesses and employers, on business closures and stay at home, and on the self-employment income support scheme, are available on the business support website. Click here.
Can your business offer Coronavirus support?
The UK Government is looking for businesses who can offer support in the multiple areas and has set up an online tool where businesses can register. To offer support click here. The support needed includes things like:
- medical testing equipment
- medical equipment design
- protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
- hotel rooms
- transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
- manufacturing equipment
- warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
- expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement, engineering or communications
- social care or childcare