Reeves seeks 'best outcome' on stalled labs scheme

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has vowed to "get the best possible outcome" from land earmarked for a secretive research centre.

Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent building the facility, which would prepare the UK for dangerous pathogens, in Harlow, Essex.

But work has been paused since March 2023 after years of delays and costs rising from £530m to £3.2bn.

In a letter seen by the BBC, Reeves said a decision on its future would be made in the spending review by 11 June.

Writing to the Labour MP for Harlow, Chris Vince, she said the government was "actively considering" options to renew the UK's high containment laboratories.

"A new site in Harlow is one of the options being considered," Reeves said.

The existing site earmarked for development, once owned by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, was purchased for £30m in 2017.

According to a National Audit Office report, more than £400m has already been spent on the project.

In her letter, Reeves said: "The government understands the pressing need for a decision to be made.

"If a new facility is not built at Harlow, I would like to reassure you that we will ensure the site is used so the people of Harlow get the best possible outcome in terms of jobs and public service infrastructure."

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) officials, who are leading the project, estimate it will open no sooner than 2036 - some 15 years later than planned.

The scheme was born out of concerns about the ageing high-containment laboratories in Porton Down, Wiltshire, and Colindale in north London.

These sites are essential for detecting and studying the most dangerous pathogens, including Ebola and Covid-19.

Vince shared concerns about the project stalling and called for it to be "brought back to the table".

He said schoolchildren would benefit from having a "world-class science centre on their doorstep".

"If we are successful and the government gives the development the green light, it would be one of the biggest investments in Harlow since its creation in 1947," the MP added.

A UKHSA spokesman previously said staff were "hoping for a decision in the coming months".

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