techUK welcomes Labour’s life sciences plan
techUK welcomes the announcement of the Labour party’s ambitions for their life sciences plan this week. This news sees a continuation of Labour’s ongoing positive signalling towards industry and aligns with the sentiment previously set out by Shadow Secretary for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, for Labour to “hold the door open” to the private sector, encouraging their support for the NHS and facilitating innovation within health and care services.
Peter Kyle (Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology) and Wes Streeting have set out Labour’s plans to:
- invest £10 billion into research and development
- create a new body, an Office of Regulatory Innovation, which would serve the purpose of streamlining new innovations which have the potential to impact health and the economy
- focus on improving innovation adoption and spread within the NHS, particularly on removing barriers to scaling innovations
- transition from three-year funding cycles towards ten-year cycles to bolster the industry with more sustained investment, plus allowing the private sector to match government funding
Viewing the NHS as a key partner for innovation, acting on the need to grow investment in life sciences research, and guaranteed access to financing are all fundamental components of the “preconditions for success” set out in the government’s Life Sciences Vision. It is understood that Labour plan to retain existing life sciences structures such as the Life Sciences Council, comprised of ministers and leaders from the global life sciences industry.
With detailed plans yet to be set out in writing, techUK will examine the plans in more depth once available, including any specific plans for how digital, data and technology will be harnessed to support these initiatives. In the meantime, Labour's announcement, and particularly the increased investment and focus on the sector’s impact in growing the UK economy, will be welcome news to companies operating in the life sciences industry.
Robert Walker
Robert Walker
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
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Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Clara Hewitt
Clara Hewitt
Clara joined techUK in October 2023. She brings experience across a range of domestic and global health issues, with particular focus on digital health, HIV/AIDS and climate change and health.
Clara holds an MSc in Global Health and Development (University College London) and a BSc in Psychology (University of Birmingham).
Tracy Modha
Tracy Modha
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
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