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.

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].

Robert Walker

Head of Health & Social Care, techUK

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!

Email:: [email protected]

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Viola Pastorino

Junior Programme Manager, Health and Care Team, techUK

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.

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Rachel Kennedy

Programme Manager Health and Social Care, techUK

Rachel joined techUK in December 2024, as a Programme Manager in the Health and Social Care team.

Prior to this, Rachel worked at a specialist health and social care public affairs agency, working with a range of organisations and trade bodies across the medical technology, pharmaceutical, digital health and social care sectors. As well as this, Rachel was part of the Secretariat for a number of health and care related All-Party Parliamentary Groups.

Rachel has a Masters in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Leeds, as well as a first-class honours in Politics BA from Newcastle University.

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Francesca Richiusa

Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK

Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.

Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.

Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/

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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.