Macclesfield’s MP David Rutley is actively working to address local concerns about Pfizer’s proposed bid for AstraZeneca and is seeking safeguards for the highly skilled workforce at AstraZeneca’s Macclesfield site.
David recognises and shares the strong concerns of many constituents in Macclesfield about Pfizer’s proposed combination with AstraZeneca and the impact this could have on jobs in the constituency and on the local economy, should the bid proceed.
The outcome of any bid is important locally. AstraZeneca is Macclesfield’s largest employer, with 2,000 employees involved in advance manufacturing, packing and related activities at the site in Macclesfield. Pfizer’s proposed bid is not only critical to the local economy, with AstraZeneca accounting for 2% of UK exports, there are also clearly major implications for the North West and the United Kingdom as a whole.
That is why David is actively working to safeguard jobs in Macclesfield. He has met Government Ministers to discuss the potential implications of Pfizer’s bid and urged the Government to seek stronger commitments from Pfizer, should the bid proceed. David has already met David Willetts, the Science Minister, Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business and the Prime Minister to seek further clarification of Pfizer’s intentions and to press for more specific commitments relating to AstraZeneca’s Macclesfield site.
David said, “We have a highly skilled workforce in Macclesfield and a proven track record in manufacturing and packaging medical treatments, including Zoladex, the successful prostate cancer treatment with $1 billion sales world wide. It is vital that we continue to realise the potential of the skilled staff and the expertise at the Macclesfield site. I will continue to make this case with Government Ministers, AstraZeneca and Pfizer in the days ahead.”