Drugs giants’ £1bn boost for Britain set to create 1,750 jobs
LEADING global health firms gave the UK economy a vote of confidence last night by pledging to create almost 2,000 jobs in Brexit Britain.
US pharmaceutical giant Merck will set up a hi-tech hub with 950 new posts, and Dutch diagnostics firm Qiagen is to expand its operations in Manchester, creating up to 800 skilled jobs.
The announcements come on the day the Government launches its latest industrial strategy to turn round Britain’s low productivity, and commit the country to becoming a world leader in artificial intelligence and driverless cars.
The agreements with Merck and Qiagen come just days after the Office for Budget Responsibility unveiled gloomy forecasts for British growth.
But Merck, which is also known as MSD, said Britain was a ‘unique bioscience centre of excellence’.
The firm claimed its state-of-the-art hub would ensure research into treatments for patients and pioneering medicines were completed in Britain.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: ‘Our life-sciences sector is one of the UK’s fastest developing industries, with a turnover in excess of £64billion, employing 233,000.
‘MSD’s commitment proves the process outlined in the industrial strategy can give companies the confidence and direction they need to invest in the UK.
‘It will ensure Britain continues to be at the forefront of innovation and represents a huge vote of confidence.’
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: ‘I want patients to continue to be at the front of the queue for the best treatments. Today’s investment in our lifesciences sector will see UK patients continue to benefit from world-leading research and pioneering medicines.’