Huppert calls on government to act over AstraZeneca takeover bid

He has called on the government to act to safeguard UK jobs and make sure the development of AstraZeneca’s new HQ in the city goes ahead as planned, together with the associated infrastructure improvements.

Julian also fears that exports could be at risk as AstraZeneca accounts for more than two per cent of the UK goods traded overseas.

He has tabled a Commons’ Early Day Motion in a bid to safeguard the jobs of nearly 7,000 people employed by the company and make sure the UK continues as a world leader in science and pharmaceuticals research and development.

Julian said: “I have been talking to AstraZeneca and the government about this takeover bid. There is a great deal at stake here.

“This would be the largest takeover of a British firm. I want to make sure AstraZeneca retains its position in the UK and its planned move to Cambridge goes ahead. It is extremely important for those people employed by the company and our economy generally both in the city and nationally.”

Julian’s EDM reads as follows:
That this House notes the proposed takeover of AstraZeneca by Pfizer, in what would be the largest ever takeover of a British firm; notes that AstraZeneca employs nearly 7,000 people in the UK and accounts for more than 2% of UK goods exports; expresses concern about the future employment in the UK of staff currently working for AstraZeneca, including at the existing sites in Macclesfield and Alderley Park and the planned global HQ and R&D site in Cambridge; and calls on the government to act as necessary to protect employment and skills in the UK, ensure that the development of the new HQ in Cambridge continues as planned, with the associated infrastructure needs, and ensure that the UK continues to be a world-leader in science and pharmaceuticals research and development.
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