What is my Life Science Forum?
Life sciences businesses are the backbone of South Cambridgeshire's innovative sector, leading to hundreds of new jobs and millions of pounds added to our economy every year. It is very important that these businesses have not just a way to speak to their local MP, but a route into Government where they can inform policy, comment on current legislation and suggest changes that would make South Cambridgeshire a better place to live and work. The solution is a forum where they have direct access to senior Government Ministers and their policy advisors, where I am able to keep a careful eye on the conversation and ensure it is acted on.
So far, the forum has met with:
- Lord Bethell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Innovation at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSS)
- Matt Whitty, Chief Executive of the Accelerated Access Collaborative & Director for Innovation, Research and Life Sciences at NHS England.
- Kristen Mcleod, Director, Office for Life Sciences at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
Campaign success
Life sciences remains top of the Government's growth agenda. Strengthened by the huge impact local companies had during the Covid-19 pandemic, investment is flourishing in this area. We now have a UK Life Sciences Vision, setting a 10-year strategy for the sector. Not only will this be a huge boost for our local economy, but it will also eventually lead to solutions to some of the biggest healthcare problems of our generation, including cancer, dementia, and obesity.