CHRIS Vince, MP for Harlow, has stepped up his call for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to move forward with building its new world-class public health campus in Harlow, as the Labour Government nears a final decision on the long-stalled project.

Mr Vince said: “After nearly a decade of indecision and spiralling costs under successive Conservative governments, the new Labour Government is now moving decisively to resolve the future of the UK’s high-containment laboratory network. Mr Vince – who has raised the matter repeatedly with Ministers in meetings, correspondence, and on the floor of the House of Commons – has called the case for Harlow “overwhelming and urgent.”

“It’s taken Labour less than a year to get a grip on this. The Conservatives spent almost twelve years dithering, and all we got was delays, rising costs, and wasted money,” added Mr Vince. “Harlow is ready. It’s shovel-ready, costed, designed, and delivers value for money. Now it’s time to build.”

In a question to Health Minister Karin Smyth in Parliament last week (12 June 2025), Mr Vince advocated for Harlow’s case, saying:

“It has a business case, details, designs and a site ready to go, and the estimated timeframe has consistently been assessed as the best value for money and the quickest to deliver.”

The Minister responded:

“Honestly, no day goes past without him talking about this issue or, indeed, his new hospital. He is right, and he is a fantastic campaigner for the people of Harlow… he will be hearing from the Secretary of State soon on that issue.”

Why Harlow?

Ready to build: Harlow already has a fully worked-up Programme Business Case, detailed design, outline planning permission, and cost and risk estimates. It’s an empty, prepared site – construction could begin without further delay.

Faster and cheaper: The Harlow option is estimated at £3.2 billion, with completion in 2036. A comparable plan at Porton Down, by contrast, has not been developed beyond initial sketches.

Minimises risk: Porton Down is an operational site, making construction complex and disruptive. There is no clear plan for how existing labs would continue functioning during a rebuild. By contrast, Harlow offers a clean build with no such risk.

Protects public health: Current UKHSA high containment labs have a remaining lifespan of 14 years. Delaying until 2040 risks a gap between decommissioning old facilities and opening new ones – something Harlow avoids.

Economic boost: The Harlow site would bring a regeneration uplift worth an estimated £80 million a year to the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs and attracting wider investment.

Strategic location: Positioned in the London-Cambridge innovation corridor, home to over 600 life sciences businesses, including GSK and AstraZeneca, Harlow offers unparalleled access to research, partnerships, and talent. Its proximity to the MHRA further strengthens its case.

Scope for the future: The Harlow site can accommodate UKHSA HQ functions, releasing costly London office space, and allowing for future expansion. Porton Down cannot offer this.
“This isn’t just about Harlow,” said Mr Vince. “It’s about national resilience. It’s about being ready for the next pandemic, building modern labs in time, and using public money wisely. Harlow delivers on all counts.”

“We have a chance to finally move from delay and waste to action and delivery. Let’s build the future of UK health security, right here in Harlow.”