AstraZeneca threatens to move UK vaccine manufacturing to US
AstraZeneca has warned it could relocate its vaccine manufacturing site on Merseyside to Philadelphia amid a deadlock in negotiations with the Labour government over plans to cut state aid promised to the project.
People briefed on the government’s thinking said Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to reduce the amount of state support provided to the British pharmaceutical company’s vaccine centre, cutting a pledge made by the last Conservative administration from about £90mn to £40mn.
The previous offer included up to £70mn in grants to develop an existing AstraZeneca vaccine facility at Speke, as well as £20mn in research and development support from the UK Health Security Agency, according to people briefed on the matter.
Senior representatives from AstraZeneca have told UK government officials they are considering moving the planned vaccine operation to Philadelphia in the US, where generous financial support is offered for industrial projects.
