The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) is a joint-unit between The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and BEIS (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). Its purpose is to generate inward investment to the UK and support the growth of innovative life science companies across the UK landscape.

It is currently engaging with SMEs across the life science sector to better understand the concerns, impacts and plans that companies are developing and enacting to prepare for EU exit.

In partnership with OxLEP, the OLS would like to invite life sciences companies to a workshop, during which the OLS will aim to understand your key concerns and needs.

This will also be an opportunity to update companies on Government planning for Brexit in areas such as regulation, borders, continuity of supply, trade continuity and migration. OLS will use the findings from the workshop to influence Government policy across relevant departments and ministers.

The information you provide will be treated confidentially and will not be shared outside of Government.

Background:
In December 2018, the Cabinet Office agreed to proceed with the Government’s next phase of no deal planning. This means the OLS are setting in motion remaining no deal plans.

HMG recommended that businesses ensure they are prepared and enact their own no deal plans as they judge necessary. OLS is keen to ensure that companies are aware of all the information available, providing updates on current developments, and identifying gaps on the information provided to them.

Outline agenda for this workshop is as follows:

• 1.30pm to 2pm: Refreshments and networking

Followed by, from 2pm to 4pm:

• Update from Government, followed by Q&A
• Gather companies’ key areas of concerns regarding EU exit and trade
• Give the opportunity to discuss the activities that business currently has in train, as well as future plans: and further information required from Government.

Attendees will include a mix of:

1. Life sciences and health industries
2. Representatives of regional life sciences groups from BEIS and key Government stakeholders

The event will be chaired by an OLS official and will involve an initial overview / presentation from OLS on Government planning, followed by a Q&A discussion. OLS would be very happy if attendees would agree to provide specific questions on areas such as regulation, borders, continuity of supply, trade continuity, and migration.