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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pfizer to close UK research site | Pfizer to close UK research site |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Pharmaceuticals group Pfizer is to close its research and development (R&D) facility in Kent, which employs 2,400 people. | Pharmaceuticals group Pfizer is to close its research and development (R&D) facility in Kent, which employs 2,400 people. |
| Pfizer said the majority of staff would be made redundant over the next two years. | |
| But it hopes to transfer several hundred positions to other sites or other companies doing work for Pfizer. | |
| The Unite union said the roles were "exactly the sort of jobs we need to keep in this country". | |
| "This closure exposes the government's vacuous claim that the private sector will compensate for its brutal cuts," Unite's national officer, Linda McCulloch, added. | |
| Business Secretary Vince Cable called the decision "extremely disappointing". | Business Secretary Vince Cable called the decision "extremely disappointing". |
| But he added: "The company has been clear that this decision was part of its global programme of change and not based on a judgement of the UK as a location for pharmaceutical research." | |
| Mr Cable said he would be meeting Pfizer, other companies and local representatives "as a matter of urgency to discuss innovative ideas for continuing R&D activities in this very well-equipped facility". | |
| Labour's shadow business secretary called it a "deeply worrying development". | |
| "Pharmaceuticals must be a sector where Britain's world reputation secures jobs and growth for the future," said John Denham. | |
| "This Conservative-led government has no plan for jobs or growth; we cannot afford to lose global industries as easily as this." | |
| The government has stressed the importance of innovation, skills and new technology to the UK's economic recovery. | |
| Prime Minister David Cameron reiterated that the government was keen to diversify the economy when he announced a deal with IT giant Cisco this week that is expected to create new high-skilled jobs in East London. | |
| 'Body blow' | |
| The move is part of Pfizer's reorganisation of its research and development capacity across the world. | The move is part of Pfizer's reorganisation of its research and development capacity across the world. |
| The Sandwich site does research and development on allergy and respiratory drugs. | The Sandwich site does research and development on allergy and respiratory drugs. |
| Pfizer's Ruth McKernan, who heads the site, said it had played "an important role in the discovery and development of medicines and has brought many life-saving treatments to patients". | Pfizer's Ruth McKernan, who heads the site, said it had played "an important role in the discovery and development of medicines and has brought many life-saving treatments to patients". |
| A company spokesperson confirmed the decision to close Sandwich did not reflect any unhappiness with government policy. | |
| Pfizer said that although it was moving out of the Sandwich site it hoped that R&D would continue there with a "partner organisation". | Pfizer said that although it was moving out of the Sandwich site it hoped that R&D would continue there with a "partner organisation". |
| Conservative MP for South Thanet Laura Sandys said it was a "body blow" for east Kent and a big shock to the community. | |
| Pfizer closed its manufacturing operations in Sandwich in 2007. | |