L

Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 11 September 2025

Debate

Merck Research Site

Contribution

The decrease in funding for the life sciences sector, in terms of NHS purchasing of medicines, started in 2015 and has continued since. It has not been a good position. We are reversing that now with the Life Sciences Sector Plan to make sure there is proper investment. Some £2 billion is going in as part of that plan, and £500 million has already gone in for a manufacturing investment fund and £600 million for a health data research service. The changes we are making will continue to make this a place where people want to invest, but I reiterate that the loss of those jobs and the Merck research centre as part of its global cuts is very disappointing.

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