The former head of the Covid Vaccine Task Force has convicted the 'own goal' of the government in cutting a subsidy to help expand AstraZeneca in the UK.
Dr. Clive Dix said that the company, praised for its rapid rollout of the Covid vaccine during the Pandemie, was ready to deliver enormous benefits for the taxpayer by stimulating the production basis.
Instead, because ministers had decided to reduce a £ 90 million subsidy promised by the Tories – reportedly with £ 40 million – it had gave up plans to invest £ 450 million on the site on MerseSide.
Dr. Dix accused ministers of a 'fatal argument' by claiming that subsidies had to guarantee the value for the taxpayer.
He claimed that the country was now in a worse position to produce vaccines than when the pandemic appeared.
“It is extremely disappointing and very confusing,” he said. “The government had an open goal here … but they eventually scored their own goal.
'I had thought, since the VK has a very poor production basis for vaccines, and AstraZeneca was willing to build something that is worth half a million in terms of investments, which could have been worked out a kind of subsidy within a few days.
“I have just given evidence of the COVID research on how to build relationships with industry, so that we build our production possibilities in ready for pandemies.”
Dr. Clive Dix said the company was ready to deliver enormous benefits for the taxpayer by stimulating the production basis
The decision of AstraZeneca to give up his plans in Speke follows recent announcements that it is investing £ 2.8 billion in the US, £ 1.2 billion in Singapore and £ 450 million in Canada
The decision of AstraZeneca, the most valuable company in Great -Britain, to give up its plans in Speke, it follows recent announcements that it is investing £ 2.8 billion in the US, £ 1.2 billion in Singapore and £ 450 million In Canada.
It is a great shame for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who last week AstraZeneca checked as one of the 'large companies' in the country in her speech about growth.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Dr. Dix to it: 'If you invest a small amount as part of a much larger investment, the benefits are enormous for the taxpayer.
'You are going to employ more people, employ people to build the buildings. It is stupid to think that this wastes money. '
AstraZeneca said that his Speke site will continue to produce flu vaccines.
The government insists that 'a change in the composition of the investment' led by the company proposed bid. A spokesperson said: “All government financing must show value for the taxpayer and unfortunately … It has not been possible to reach a solution.”
