An interview with Joe Dunne, VP QHSE, Europe & Russia, Kerry Group, and co-chair of IGD’s Technical Leaders Forum. Joe Dunne, Kerry Foods You’ve recently led a review of different virtual audit technologies through IGD’s Technical Leaders Forum . What was your starting point for undertaking this project? As a collaborative industry group, the purpose of the Technical Leaders Fo...

Data from ONS shows that the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme achieved wide awareness and high adoption amongst the public in August. 95% of respondents had heard about Eat Out to Help Out 53% of respondents had eaten out in August specifically to take advantage of the scheme 47% would not have eaten out without it Given the success of the scheme, some restaurant...

The government has allocated £500m to a more advanced coronavirus testing regime, to prepare for a possible “second spike” of coronavirus in the Winter. Funds will also be used to develop “next gen” testing, which is divided into two streams. Stream One will be in Salford, where it is intended to offer weekly saliva-based coronavirus tests to the whole community. Results will be p...

Manufacturers that wish to launch new products may need to deal with new procedures after the end of the EU Exit transition period in January 2021. Rules differ according to where goods are to be marketed i.e. Great Britain, Northern Ireland, or the EU and according to type of product. Not all goods face will special marketing rules, but some items sold via the grocery trade will e...

UK citizens can continue to travel to Europe as usual until 31 December 2020 (subject to any special measures related to coronavirus). From 01 January 2021, new rules will apply when travelling to most European countries - not just countries that are members of the EU. Those seeking entry to European countries will need to have at least 6 months’ life remaining on their passport – not...

The UK government has published new guidance for EU-based traders that intend to send goods to the UK after the implementation period ends on 31 December 2020. LINK Information is available in five different European languages: French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish. A series of webinars in the same languages will be offered over 21 September to 02 October, although sign-up ...

Provisional “fast” indicators from ONS suggest that the UK economy continues to recover from the stresses of coronavirus and lockdown. Activity remains below the level seen just before lockdown and below the level seen in Summer 2019. Encouragingly, the number of company incorporations which fell sharply during lockdown has risen as lockdown has been released. This suggests returning ...

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced Kickstart in July as part of a broad package of new measures called the Plan for Jobs. Kickstart is intended to support young adults in entering the workplace, since history has shown that this groups is most likely to be disadvantaged by economic turmoil. The government will pay the cost of the minimum wage, for up to six months, ...

Logistics UK, a group of eight organisations representing the logistics industry have written to the government expressing concern at the state of preparation for EU Exit and warning of severe border disruption, if things do not improve. They have asked for an urgent meeting with ministers. Concern is raised around: Lack of capacity within customs intermediaries Readiness of phy...

Your overview of political and economic news with a focus on the food and consumer goods industry, featuring the latest guidance on COVID-19 and planning for the end of the transition period with the EU. New COVID-19 restrictions With an increase in COVID-19 infections (see LINK ), the government has imposed new restrictions nationally to try and stop the spread. This includes the...