AstraZeneca to build £450m vaccine manufacturing hub in Merseyside

New facility part of wider £650m investment plans

Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomes announcement

AstraZeneca has announced plans to build a new £450m vaccine manufacturing hub in the north west of England.

The facility will be located in Speke, Liverpool, and will create up to 3,000 jobs.

The announcement was made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said: "This is a major investment in the UK's life sciences industry and will create thousands of high-skilled jobs.

• The facility will produce vaccines for a range of diseases, including COVID-19,
• The investment is part of AstraZeneca's wider plans to invest £650m across the UK over the next five years.

AstraZeneca's CEO, Pascal Soriot, said: "This investment is a testament to our commitment to the UK and to our belief in the future of the life sciences industry here.

The new facility is expected to be operational by 2025.

The Treasury has reassured that it remains in positive discussions with AstraZeneca regarding the investment.