UK plans to invest 'billions' in Essex biosecurity centre

The UK government has revealed a plan to open a biosecurity facility in Harlow, Essex, to help protect the country from emerging public health threats like pandemics.

The announcement includes a pledge to spend £250 million to start construction of the National Biosecurity Centre (NBC) during this parliament, creating around 1,600 new jobs, and a "multi-billion-pound investment" over the course of the entire project.

The plan is to bring the UK Health Security Agency's existing centres in Colindale, London, and Porton Down near Salisbury in Wiltshire, under one roof, consolidating national expertise in research into emerging pathogens and the production of vaccines.

The planned move to Harlow was first announced in 2015 and has reportedly already cost the government £400 million. A May debate in Parliament – reported in Hansard – has suggested that there is an 11-year delivery timeline for the NBC, with a proposed price tag of £3.2 billion.

"This transformational investment in the UK's national biosecurity will better protect the British public from future health emergencies, boost the life sciences sector and create new jobs," according to Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting.

He also pointed out that the centre will put the researchers closer to partner organisations in the life sciences 'golden triangle' between London, Oxford, and Cambridge and foster "closer collaboration between leading scientists and the life sciences sector."

"COVID-19 taught us how crucial it is to be able to respond quickly to new emerging threats, and the new National Biosecurity Centre will allow us to do exactly that — ensuring Britain remains a world-leader in pandemic preparedness," added Streeting.

"Harlow will become a scientific hub, with The National Biosecurity Centre exploring new ways to treat illnesses, improve people's health, and save more lives."

Salisbury MP John Glen has campaigned against the move on the grounds that it will undo decades of development and investment at the Porton Down site, including recent upgrades to containment laboratories at a cost of £65 million.

"Today's announcement confirming the UKHSA will move to Harlow is a hammer blow for my constituents," he said in a statement. "Porton Down has an established global reputation for cutting-edge science, which has huge value to UK plc. I am beyond disappointed that the government has chosen to laud Harlow's potential instead of recognising Porton Down's existing expertise and powerful international brand."

Work to prepare NBC for operation will begin as soon as possible, with the first facilities due to open by the mid-2030s and the whole site scheduled to be in operation by 2038.