AstraZeneca Cancels £450m UK Vaccine Plant Investment

The pharmaceutical giant cites reduced government support and delays as key factors in its decision to abandon the Merseyside project.

AstraZeneca has withdrawn plans for a £450 million vaccine manufacturing facility in Speke, Liverpool, after months of stalled negotiations with the UK government over financial support.
The company stated that a reduced grant offer compared to the previous Conservative government’s proposal, as well as delays in the decision-making process, influenced its decision.
The facility was intended to enhance the UK’s vaccine manufacturing capacity and pandemic preparedness, an area previously criticized as insufficient by former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
The cancellation is a setback for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who had recently emphasized economic growth and investment in life sciences during a major speech.
AstraZeneca will continue producing flu vaccines at its existing Speke site but has recently prioritized investments in other countries, such as the US, Canada, and Ireland.