Sirius News Bulletin - 2nd August 2021
This bulletin provides a summary of topical news, announcements and policy developments affecting business across the UK.
Food-to-go
Market recovering faster than expected
The latest forecast from IGD has revealed the food-to-go market is expected to be worth £15.6 billion by the end of 2021, which is 82.5% of its 2019 value. It is forecast to return to pre-Covid levels in the second half of 2022, six months earlier than expected.
Read more about the forecast at: https://catererlicensee.com/food-to-go-market-recovering-faster-than-expected-according-to-igd/
Government sets up £375m fund for innovative tech firms
Fast-growing firms working on “game changing” technology in areas such as life sciences and clean energy can apply for a share of a new £375 million fund aimed at fostering innovation. The Future Fund: Breakthrough scheme will involve the Government committing to co-invest alongside private investors.
Read more aboutthe fund at: www.theguardian.com/technology/O/government-sets-up-375m-fund-for-gamechanging-uk-tech-firms
Food allergens
Support for businesses to prepare for changes
The Food Standards Agency has launched an online hub to help food businesses prepare for changes to allergen labelling requirements. From 1 October 2021, any business selling food that is pre-packed for direct sale must include all ingredients on the product label with allergenic ingredients emphasised.
Read more about the requirements at: https://caterer!icensee.co m/f sa-publ ish-new-resou rces-to-support-food-businesses-prepa ring-for-changes-to aIlergen-la belIin g/
£53m funding to boost competitiveness through digital tech
Five new digital manufacturing research centres have been announced as part of a £53 million government investment to help supply chains become more productive and drive the development of digital manufacturing technologies.
Read more about the investment at: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-53-million-funding-for-uk-manufacturers-to-boost-competitiveness th rough-digitaI-tech
HGV licence fast-track won’t stop UK food shortages
Government plans to tackle the UK’s chronic lorry driver shortage will take at least five months to take effect and will not address the threat of food shortages this summer, industry leaders have warned.
Read more about the warning at: www.theguardian.com/poIiti cs/2021/ju I/20/hgv-Iicense-fast-track-wont-stop-uk-fo od-shortages-industry-warns
Employment rights
New hub to help disabled workers understand their rights
A new advice hub is being launched to help disabled people understand their employment rights as part of plans to remove the barriers they face in work. The online hub, which is a joint initiative from the Department for Business and Acas, will provide advice to disabled people and employers.
Read moreaboutthehubat: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-advice-hub-to-help-disabled-people-understand-their-rights-at-work
Farming
New programme to improve AONBs
Farmers are being encouraged to join a new programme to help support and improve areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) in England. The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan and will run until March 2024.
Read more aboutthe programme at: www.farminguk.com/news/fa rmers-urged-to-jo in-new-grog ramme-to-improve-aonbs 58656.html
Farmers concerned about workforce shortages
Farmers are increasingly concerned about workforce shortages. While more than 10,000 people who work in the UK food supply chain will be exempt from isolation rules if they are ‘pinged’ by NHS Test and Trace, farmers have called for additional measures to avoid disruption.
Read more about the shortages at: www.farminguk.com/news/farmers-increasingly-co ncerned-of-staff-shortages-nfu-wa rns 58647.html
Residential care
Deadline for mandatory Covid-19 jabs
The legal requirement for care home staff in England to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will come into force on 11 November 2021. Anyone working in a care home regulated by the Care Quality Commission will be required to have had two Covid-19 jabs, unless they have a medical exemption.
Read more aboutthe requirement at: www.personneltoday.com/hr/care-home-staff-deadIine-set-for-ma ndatory-covid-19-jabs
Convenience retail
Advice on self-isolation to avoid unnecessary staff shortages
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has set out practical steps to help retailers avoid major disruption to their business as a result of notifications to isolate from the NHS Test and Trace app.
Read more about the advice at: www.acs.org.uk/news/acs-sets-out-practical-advice-isolation-avoid-unnecessary-staff-shortages
Green recovery
Boost for green jobs and nature recovery
Action to support 2,500 jobs, plant almost a million trees and boost nature recovery across England has been stepped up with 90 innovative projects set to receive money through the Government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
Read moreaboutthefundat: www.gov.uk/government/news/multi-million-pound-boost-for-green-jobs-and-nature-recovery
Staycationers drive demand for caravans and motorhomes
The British staycation boom prompted by international travel restrictions is driving interest in caravan and motorhome sales at auction.
Read more about the demand at: www.alphabet.com/en-gb/auto-digest/staycationers-drive-demand-caravans-and-motorhomes-bca
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