Member News
By Laura Sandys MP - 7th March 2011
Laura Sandys MP calls for an on-going commitment to securing a "stronger, more resilient, and more diversified" future for the Pfizer site in Sandwich.
The withdrawal of the pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, from Sandwich has sent shock waves across East Kent and the wider life science sector. As the largest private sector employer in the area and with local deprivation indices rivaling many parts of the North East, it is incumbent on East Kent MPs, Kent County Council and the government Taskforce to secure investment and attract new companies to the facility.
Undoubtedly, the closure of the site reflects a growing trend - the research and development sector is fragmenting and increasingly R+D is being outsourced to smaller firms. Yet this has not led to complacency. Unlike when the company's manufacturing operations were closed in 2007, pro-activity has been the order of the day and the employment needs of the local community have been prioritised.
We are 30 days into the announcement of closure. Yet already, a number of exciting propositions for the site have emerged. A Life Science Service Hub which might include some larger CRO operations with satellite hub companies could provide services to the pharmaceutical sector and benefit from the new outsourcing model of research and development. Creating numerous units across the site would create a diverse range of employment opportunities and could see staff pursuing careers as varied as teaching or within the renewable energy sector.
These visions must be complimented with ongoing government commitment and support. It is vital we all realise that the equipment, the employees and what the prime minister called a 'state of the art site' are world class. We have a national asset that must be regarded as intrinsic to the UK's Life Science future. Losing employees and their skills will damage not only East Kent but will also mean the UK loses out – the government's response must acknowledge this. In this evening's adjournment debate, I will call for:
• On-going commitment: to securing a future for the site. A solution will not emerge overnight and so government must have the willpower to remain involved until the site is occupied by other businesses. This is a chance for a real government success story. We could demonstrate that this is a government of action. A government which supports and promotes entrepreneurialism and business start-ups. A government which unites in times of adversity.
• Government leading discussions with Pfizer: Government has shown real leadership and must continue to ensure that the company is transparent with its staff and the economic taskforce. It should encourage Pfizer to support potential spin-offs - with some contractual relationships - and must emphasise the need for staff to be retained as long as possible to ensure East Kent retains its skills base.
• Cross-departmental Support: With high public sector employment and lack of alternative skilled jobs, the East Kent economy has for too long been left at the end of the line. Improving transport links to enable access to the site within one hour from London would make the Pfizer site even more attractive to investors.
The road ahead will not be easy, but already the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that new employment opportunities emerge in the area and that the site is put to economic use well into the future. We only have to look at the example of Pfizer withdrawing from Michigan to see that the local East Kent economy has a chance of emerging stronger, more resilient, and more diversified.
Laura Sandyswas elected as Conservative MP for Thanet South in 2010. She is deputy chairman of the Civic Trust that represents the civic societies across the country, a trustee of the Open University and is also chairman of openDemocracy.
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