In response to concerns raised by universities about increasing COVID effects, Research England announced on 21 January that the funding bodies have agreed additional measures to support final preparations for REF submissions. The measures are intended to support universities in addressing the challenges that have been identified following evidence and views submitted from across the sector. Submissions included concerns around the effects on clinical academic staff being called to frontline services, and research professional staff in finalising submissions during the current lockdown restrictions.
The full announcement by Research England can be accessed here:
https://www.ref.ac.uk/news/measures-announced-to-help-universities-complete-ref-submissions/