HGV Drivers: The media are reporting that a new seasonal visa scheme to attract overseas HGV drivers is believed to be very close to agreement, as Defra thrashes out fresh policy measures to tackle the ongoing shortages.
FDF Webinar: A reminder for FDF members,, the FDF will host its Member Update Webinar next Tuesday (10th August), exploring all of the latest industry issues. This webinar is free to FDF members.
Cabinet Office Covid Communications: I attach this week’s communications toolkit for you to use to share the latest COVID-19 information with your communities and networks.
This week’s key messages are:
- We must all remain cautious and follow safety advice.
- Daily contact testing is being offered to more critical workers.
- The NHS COVID Pass is now in operation.
Updated guidance for ‘reasonable excuse’ exemptions from self-isolation
Self-isolation remains an essential tool in our national efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus. In the small number of situations where the self-isolation of close contacts would result in serious disruption to critical services, a limited number of named workers may be able to leave self-isolation under specific controls for the purpose of undertaking critical work only.
Please read the updated guidance outlining how to request a ‘reasonable excuse’ letter. The guidance includes further details about eligibility, the process, and a list of the critical sub-populations that may have a reasonable excuse to leave self-isolation to attend critical work.
The guidance also includes a link to a new online request form for ‘reasonable excuse’ letters.
If you need more information or have a query about submitting this request form, please email emergencies@defra.gov.uk
Defra Absence tracking survey
Since some businesses are experiencing concerning rates of absence, we ask that you complete the attached absence tracking survey and send it to foodsupplyinformation@defra.gov.uk on a daily basis – or whatever frequency is most feasible with your reporting processes. Even if your business is not directly affected, your responses and information are essential for our understanding of how absence is changing over time – we are asking for minimum data returns to reduce the reporting burden on you.
Your data will be securely stored and processed by Defra analysts, and treated as commercially sensitive – only anonymous summary outputs will be produced. We are grateful for your cooperation
PHE launch latest Better Health campaign
Public Health England (PHE) has launched the latest Better Health campaign to encourage adults to lose excess weight. The campaign will offer free evidence-based support and guidance to help those working towards a healthier weight. The variety of NHS endorsed apps aims to help people eat better and get active.
PHE will also publish new research showing those who followed the NHS Weight Loss Plan app over 12 weeks reported a loss of 5.8kg on average. This follows the Department of Health and Social Care’s announcement of further plans for the new Health Incentives Scheme. The scheme will look to incentivise adults to make healthier choices and is spearheaded by Sir Keith Mills.
Latest FSA “Food and You 2” survey results published
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published the latest findings of the “Food and You 2” survey, which measures self-reported knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to food safety and other food issues amongst adults in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The latest results, for the period from 20 November 2020 to 21 January 2021, found that 93% of respondents are confident that the food they buy is safe to eat and 89% are confident that the information on food labels is accurate. Over three quarters of respondents (77%) had confidence in the food supply chain. Most respondents (88%) had no concerns about the food they eat and only 12% of respondents reported that they had a concern. The most common prompted concerns were the amount of sugar in food (60%), food waste (60%) and animal welfare (57%). The survey also indicates that food security levels are comparable across England (85%), Wales (82%) and Northern Ireland (84%), whilst approximately 1 in 6 were food insecure in England (15%), Wales (18%) and Northern Ireland (16%). When questioned on food allergies and food intolerance, 9% of respondents reported that they had a food intolerance, 3% had a food allergy, 1% had coeliac disease and 1% had multiple food hypersensitivities. Of the respondents who reported having a food intolerance, 38% reported an intolerance to cow’s milk and products made with cow’s milk and 18% reported an intolerance to cereals containing gluten.
Businesses to be required to report on food waste
Responding to a question on mandatory business food waste reporting by 2022 in line with the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee, the Defra Minister, Rebecca Pow, confirmed that the Government will consult this year on introducing regulations to make the public reporting of food waste volumes mandatory for certain businesses of an appropriate size. This consultation was postponed because of the pandemic and businesses will be given at least a year after regulations are passed, to embed measurement techniques and build confidence in their data, before they are required to report. So, subject to consultation, relevant businesses will report food waste in 2024, for food waste measured in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Food and drink manufacturing included in lifetime skills guarantee
Following extensive representations from the FDF to include dedicated food and drink manufacturing qualifications in the Lifetime Skills Guarantee, the Government has added two qualifications under the ‘manufacturing’ category:
- Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology
- Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology and Management
The Lifetime Skills Guarantee offers eligible adults a choice of level 3 qualifications that are fully funded by Government and previously had no dedicated food and drink manufacturing qualifications – despite the size and value of the sector. FDF’s position was also included in this piece by FE Week.
HMRC Update: If you move goods between the UK and countries in the EU, you need to follow new customs and tax rules.
Your business will be affected by the new rules if you:
- buy goods from an EU seller and bring them into the UK
- send goods you’ve sold to a buyer in an EU country
- haven’t exchanged money but need to move equipment that you use for your business, between the UK and the EU.
We understand this means a lot of changes are needed and recognise that the trading environment is particularly challenging for many businesses at the moment. That is why HMRC is offering to help you in a number of different ways.
You can attend our webinars to help adjust to the new rules and keep your business moving.
We’re unable to answer questions specific to the items you import or export on the webinars. Instead, you can use the helpline at the end of this email for these questions.
Our webinars explain existing GOV.UK guidance and give you the opportunity to ask general questions. You’ll also be able to see responses to other peoples’ questions and the guidance we signpost to for extra help and support.
Importing – steps you need to take before making your supplementary declaration: To support those who’ve delayed their customs import declarations, we explain the steps you need to take before you can make a supplementary declaration and how intermediaries can help you do this.
Please register to take part if you’ve imported goods since 1 January 2021 and not yet completed a customs declaration for them.
If you’re planning to import and want to understand the full declarations process please register for Customs Import Declarations: an overview.
Exporting: what you need to do to keep your goods moving: An overview of the actions you need to take now before you export goods from Great Britain to the EU and move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Key processes include – zero-rated VAT, customs declarations, using an intermediary as well as licences, certificates, and authorisations.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to export.
Trader responsibilities when using an intermediary: This webinar explains your responsibilities as a trader, if you choose to use an intermediary to complete import or export declarations for your business. These are complex and an intermediary can save you a lot of time.
Please register to take part if you’re planning to import or export.
Rules of Origin: Watch our recorded webinar if you buy goods from the EU, or send or sell goods to the EU for your business, this webinar will help you understand rules of origin and what’s required to meet the rules.
The recorded webinar can be paused or rewound to allow you to work through the information at your own pace.
You can also:
- watch our videos on HMRC’s YouTube channel to familiarise yourself with the new customs processes and what you need to do before you trade goods with the EU
- use the trader checklist to make sure you’re familiar with the new rules that affect you
- use our updated guides to understand the new customs and VAT requirements when moving goods between the UK and EU countries
- sign up to the Trader Support Service if your business is moving goods between GB and Northern Ireland and use their suite of educational products – including online training modules and webinars for support with the Northern Ireland Protocol
- ask and get answers to specific questions about HMRC processes for importing or exporting, by visiting our customer forums
- watch webinars and videos from other government departments to support you
- sign up to our weekly email updates on news and information about importing and exporting with the EU, providing hints and tips for businesses like yours, getting used to the new rules for importing and exporting.
