House of Commons · Urgent Question
11 September 2025 · 20 other contributors
Opened by Julia Lopez Con Hornchurch and Upminster
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Julia Lopez raised concerns about life sciences investment 2025-09-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that US pharmaceutical giant Merck has cancelled the construction of a £1 billion drug research centre in King's Cross, leading to the loss of eight hundred jobs? The decision raises questions about the UK’s competitiveness in the life sciences sector. What urgent steps will the Government take to address this issue?
Question
Will the Minister arrange urgent meetings with Health, Business and Treasury Ministers today? What damage will this cause to research and medicine access for our constituents affected by diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis?
Minister reply
The shadow Secretary of State asked what message America has given to the Government. The message was from Merck in its quarterly report a few months ago, reflecting significant pressure on operations due to global economic conditions. We are trying to clear up the mess left after 14 years of Conservative government and address underlying issues.
Question
Will the Minister update us on how, and how quickly, he plans to revise the life sciences sector plan published in July, given recent market conditions?
Minister reply
The Chair of the Select Committee raised important points about revising the life sciences sector plan. We are committed to addressing issues such as tariffs, investment incentives from the US, access to capital, and the relationship with NHS pricing. The Government remains focused on significant investments in research and development and improving clinical trial performance.
Question
How do the Government plan to restore confidence among pharmaceutical companies that the UK is a competitive place for research and development and manufacturing?
Minister reply
The Government are investing in research and development to the tune of £86 billion, we are investing in the life sciences—it is one of the eight key sectors in the industrial strategy—and I assure my hon. Friend that I will do everything I can in this role to ensure that we invest in that.
Question
Does the Minister agree that investment and commitment to research and development will enable cities such as Exeter to thrive and grow in future?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his work with the university in his constituency. All who represent university towns know there is significant investment going into research and development and the life sciences, because that is the future for this country.
Question
What are the Government going to do practically to reverse the decline in confidence in the pharmaceutical industry?
Minister reply
I say to the right hon. Gentleman that this Government are investing in research and development to the tune of £86 billion, we are investing in the life sciences—it is one of the eight key sectors in the industrial strategy—and I hope that the business park in his constituency benefits fundamentally from that.
Question
Does the Minister agree that the UK has so much expertise to offer and that he needs to look at the whole life science ecosystem, from bench discovery to dispensing at the bedside?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work unpaid, at the research institute. It will be good to hear from her about what she sees from inside the sector. She raises the most important point in any debate about science, research and development and life sciences in particular in this country.
Question
How will additional costs of employing people affect where to invest in this country?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman was a Treasury Minister, so he understands some of the issues involved here. I would merely point him to the report MSD released to its shareholders for the first quarter, in which it said that it had to divest from $3 billion a year in operating costs—that is a huge part of its operating agenda.
Question
What are the implications of the decision to disinvest on the King’s Cross area proposal for medical research?
Minister reply
At this stage, I am not aware that there will be any downside to the entirety of the ecosystem that revolves around the King’s Cross area. This decision has obviously come very late to the Government, and we will work with MSD on the future.
Question
Will the Minister or his counterpart meet me and Celltrion to discuss the biosimilar sector and how we can support it to grow?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend and would be happy to take him up on that meeting to hear about his experience directly.
Question
How is the Department supporting the Liverpool City Mayor and the life sciences investment zone to build confidence and secure greater investment for the sector?
Minister reply
The life sciences sector plan has been set out to give the industry certainty over the longer term that this Government are serious about the investment that both we and the industry will make in the sector, with £2.5 billion a year from this Government and, at £86 billion, the largest settlement for R&D ever in the spending review.
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of this announcement on Scotland’s research and development sector?
Minister reply
I visited RoslinCT in my own constituency last Friday. The life sciences sector in Scotland is indeed buoyant and flourishing. There are lots of opportunities for it to expand.
Question
Will the Minister find time to meet me or visit Keele University in Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss how we can support the local life sciences sector?
Minister reply
The hon. Member has my third invite this morning, and I am happy to accept it. The thriving life sciences sector demonstrates its importance across all communities.
Question
Given the recent setbacks faced by UK life sciences companies moving towards the US due to incentives and tariffs, will the Government commit to an updated cross-party strategy to stabilise investment in Britain?
Minister reply
This Government had to make difficult decisions to balance the books and invest in R&D. We are committed to backing the sector through our industrial strategy.
Question
Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me or set up a meeting with the life sciences Minister to discuss how we can support this key industry in Bracknell?
Minister reply
Of course, I will meet any Member across the House to discuss the life sciences sector.
Question
What is the Minister’s Department doing to work with the Department of Health and Social Care to develop medical isotopes through Project ARTHUR at Trawsfynydd in my constituency?
Minister reply
I have been working with the Department of Health and Social Care on this matter. I will write to the right hon. Lady for a detailed response.
Question
Would the Minister be willing to meet south Birmingham MPs to discuss further support for the life sciences sector, which is helping to regenerate parts of the local economy?
Minister reply
I will meet any Member across the House to discuss this important part of our economy.
Question
Does the Minister acknowledge that vague Government aspirations do not match real-world challenges, especially for constituents in my area?
Minister reply
We have £86 billion from the spending review going into R&D, including £2.5 billion backing the life sciences sector plan. Economic and geopolitical issues are affecting pharmaceutical investments.
Question
What effect does the Government anticipate from private investment withdrawal for life sciences research, particularly in relation to universities like Exeter?
Minister reply
Life sciences is a growing industry with many companies investing more. I encourage fledgling academics to get involved long-term.
Question
How will the Minister seek to reassure global partners that science investment remains a priority, given recent news of job losses and reduced investments?
Minister reply
Our workforce is the best in the world, with world-class institutions. We are in discussions about tariffs and plan to send out positive messages regarding industry growth.
Government Response
I welcome the hon. Member to her new role. Merck's decision not to progress its investment in King’s Cross is deeply disappointing as it would have enhanced the UK life sciences sector's status further. The UK remains an attractive place for investment, but the global economic situation has impacted companies’ decisions. The Government continues to support and grow the life sciences sector through significant investments such as £600 million in health data research and up to £520 million for innovation and manufacturing. We remain closely engaged with MSD and continue to explore opportunities to partner.