PoliSCI

£20 million funding for businesses to boost UK resilience following coronavirus pandemic

On the 3rd April the government announced £20 million funding to help boost the UK’s resilience to the long-term impact of the coronavirus and future incidents. 

Technology and research-focussed businesses can apply for a grant of up to £50,000 to develop new ways of working and help build resilience in industries such as delivery services, food manufacturing, retail and transport, as well as support people at home in circumstances like those during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said: 'This new investment will support the development of technologies that can help industries, communities and individuals adapt to new ways of working when situations like this, and other incidents, arise.’ 

Innovate UK has launched this competition in hope of seeking the most innovative ideas to encourage new ways of working.

Mercedes FI develop breathing aids for NHS

Mercedes Formula One has collaborated with University College London engineers to design and produce a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which delivers oxygen to the lungs without needing a ventilator. 

A rapid rollout of these newly-designed machines will be delivered to hospitals around the country, subject to successful clinical trials at UCLH. It is hoped that these devices will reduce demand on intensive care staff and beds, as well as helping patients recover without the requirement of more invasive ventilation. 

Separately, a consortium of UK industrial, technology and engineering businesses in the UK are working in collaboration to produce over 10,000 ventilators for the NHS.

COVID-19: Industry pulling together 

As Covid-19 continues to spread across the globe, we round up some of the innovative steps being taken by businesses in the pharmaceutical and chemical sector to aid those on the frontline of this global crisis. 

Find out more on the actions from GSK, Ineos, Norvatis and AstraZeneca here.