Life Sciences in the Government’s Industrial Strategy

The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, published yesterday (Monday 23 June), outlines a long-term plan for national economic renewal. techUK sets out a summary of the Industrial Strategy published on Monday 23 June. It is accompanied by eight sector-specific plans, including one dedicated to Life Sciences – a sector that the Government has positioned as central to both the UK’s economic and health priorities. Click here for our analysis of the Digital and Technologies sector plan. While the full Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) is yet to be published, the Industrial Strategy sets out some key commitments for the sector.

It is accompanied by eight sector-specific plans, including one dedicated to Life Sciences – a sector that the Government has positioned as central to both the UK’s economic and health priorities. Click here for our analysis of the Digital and Technologies sector plan.

While the full Life Sciences Sector Plan (LSSP) is yet to be published, the Industrial Strategy sets out some key commitments for the sector.

What was announced?

The Government’s ambition is for the UK to become the leading Life Sciences economy in Europe by 2030, and to be ranked third globally by 2035, after the US and China. This is supported by major investments across data, infrastructure, and innovation:

Up to £600 million for a new Health Data Research Service (HDRS), co-funded with the Wellcome Trust, to create a secure, AI-ready health data platform at population scale.

Over £650 million over five years for Genomics England.

Up to £354 million for Our Future Health, £30 million for preclinical infrastructure, and £20 million for UK Biobank.

Industrial Strategy Priorities for Life Sciences

The plan focuses on six headline actions to drive sector growth:

Unlocking health data: Establishing HDRS to attract global trials and AI investment.

Accelerating clinical trials: Implementing the O’Shaughnessy Review to reduce approval times to under 150 days and double trial participants by 2026 and again by 2029.

Supporting manufacturing: Up to £520 million for the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, aimed at enhancing UK supply chain resilience and attracting major investments.

Enhancing regulatory efficiency: Supporting the MHRA to streamline approvals and increase agility, while enabling international regulatory cooperation.

Simplifying procurement: Introducing a Rules-Based Pathway for MedTech and an NHS Innovator Passport to reduce friction and speed up adoption of new technologies.

Building partnerships and scale-ups: Aiming to secure at least one major strategic partnership with industry each year, and supporting 10–20 high-potential UK life sciences companies to scale and stay headquartered in the UK.

Why does this matter and what does this mean for techUK members?

The announcements position Life Sciences as a critical pillar of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, linking health innovation with economic growth. The focus on data, regulation, and manufacturing reflects long-standing priorities of the sector and techUK members, seeking to create the environment needed for companies to thrive, invest, and scale within the UK. While many of the funding and policy announcements in the Industrial Strategy are not new pots of money or new strategies, techUK welcomes these commitments and looks forward to reviewing the full Life Sciences Sector Plan when published.

We will continue engaging with members, government, and health system partners to ensure industry priorities are reflected in delivery and implementation.

If you would like to discuss the Industrial Strategy further, please reach out to Ed Emerson, Head of Digitial Economy, [email protected]. If you would like to discuss techUK’s work in the life sciences space please reach out to Rachel Kennedy, Programme Manager for Health and Social Care, [email protected].

Health and Social Care Programme activities

techUK is helping its members navigate the complex space of digital health in the UK to ensure our NHS and social care sector is prepared for the challenges of the future. We help validate new ideas and build impactful strategies, ultimately ensuring that members are market-ready. Visit the programme page here.