Chris Vince MP renews call for Treasury to back Harlow as UKHSA’s future home
Crime / Thu 15th May 2025 at 01:02pm
CHRIS Vince, MP for Harlow, is renewing his call for the Treasury to commit to delivering the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) project in Harlow, following damning findings from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and a new parliamentary update confirming that a decision is still pending.
The PAC report, released this week, warns:
“We are deeply concerned that there is no long-term plan for ensuring that the UK continues to have this [defence against pandemics]… despite the UK Health Security Agency spending nearly £400 million developing a site at Harlow, this project is now on hold due to expected costs spiralling from £530 million to £3.2 billion… existing facilities rapidly approach the end of their operational life.”
The case for relocating the UKHSA to Harlow remains stronger than ever. Halting progress now would not only waste hundreds of millions already invested but also drive up long-term costs and put the UK’s biosecurity capabilities at risk.
A written parliamentary answer from the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 May confirms that the Harlow site is still under consideration and that a final decision will form part of the Spending Review, due to conclude by 11 June.
“The Government is conscious of the need for a decision… and a site in Harlow is one of the options being considered.”
Chris Vince is urging the Government to recognise that continued delay only adds to the uncertainty and rising costs. Keeping operations at ageing sites beyond their viable lifespan is not a solution. Harlow offers a ready-to-develop, future-proofed location that can anchor the UK’s long-term health security infrastructure and create skilled jobs for a new generation.
Chris Vince said:
“The Government is right to be taking this decision seriously – ensuring the UK’s long-term health security infrastructure is a vital national priority.
“With nearly £400 million already invested, Harlow remains the most advanced and cost-effective option on the table.
“Choosing Harlow would build on that investment, deliver real value for money, and future-proof our ability to respond to health threats. I urge the Treasury to back Harlow and make this visionary project a reality.”
Adrienne
2025-05-15 16:36:10
Hodpital
Guy Flegman
2025-05-15 17:19:22
What a joke. £400 million spent and nothing to show for it except a few reports and several acres of waste land. While it would be great for the Harlow site to be used, it sadly cannot be used for any of the dangerous lab work that the agency will need to undertake. This is because the site is on top of a hill so fails the most basic of risk assessments for this type of work. The worse case is the building gets destroyed and chemicals and viruses get released and so need to be contained as best as possible , which means building your lab in a valley and preferably underground which gives a better chance of containment should the worst happen. Building on top of a hill is about as wrong as it gets. This is the reason no potentially dangerous work was ever done there by Glaxo when they owned the site. Personally I think it will save everyone time and money if they just repurpose the site as an extension of replacement for Harlow hospital, though I doubt very much that common sense is at play in any of this.
chris
2025-05-15 17:45:07
Let's all pledge for the best possible outcome... Let's not forget to renew our calls to action... No wonder the UK is up the creek without a paddle, nobody will hold account for their actions or just make a decision be it one way or the other. It feels like the government is just happy to keep paying for something just to keep it until the next party comes in, then it's somebody else's problem. The blame then starts again.
David Forman
2025-05-15 18:33:06
Three quarters of the £400million has been written off. Page 13 of the Public Accounts Committee report published May 14 says: "UKHSA’s 2023–24 Annual Report and Accounts show that it has so far spent some £400 million on work at Harlow, but has written off £297 million of this spend to date, reflecting the costs of building work already done that it cannot be certain will be completed." See report at https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/47801/documents/249699/default/
Adrienne
2025-05-16 09:25:54
Hospital
Adrienne
2025-05-16 09:29:32
Well said Guy
Adrienne
2025-05-16 09:34:09
It's one step forward,twelve steps back.No politicians stand a chance with the machine working against them. I think it's time the constitution allowed a more civilised outcome.More say for us little people.x
Adrienne
2025-05-16 09:46:04
Common sense is not at play.build on the carparks at pah.At least there is hospital land. Leave carparks as they are placed already. A much cheaper solution and one I have already put forward . That way we can build pah 1 and 2. Welcome the good news as soon possible. Perhaps the conservative government could put there hands in there personal pockets. Harlow has been lied to for years as .Time to cough up. Also stop attacking disabled people. It feels like they are saying,Unless you can't move, breathe,and talk you can't get pip. Well the whole point of pip is to help you do things. Don't make disabled people feel suicidal.
Seamus
2025-05-16 14:13:53
He's raising it for self pr. He knows full well the government will kick this site down the road for another 4 years
Adrienne
2025-05-16 14:55:54
I understand your feelings Seamus.But it seems that to get things done these days you have to look for another way. Car sponsorships, computer, unless you can actually think of helping to raise money then in my experience you are wasting your breath. You seem to have alot of energy. Perhaps,instead of bashing people we could all get together and work out a different level Nd of strategy.
Seamus
2025-05-16 23:31:02
Sadly Adrienne, the tax payer had already raised £400 million only to see three quarters of it written off. Never underestimate the ability of politicians to make our money dissapear and have nothing to show for it. Mark Twain once said "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and both for the same reason.
Adrienne
2025-05-18 22:47:21
I know. Well there is one thing I can think of. A bit more people power. When people are getting more poorer by the day. It is really sad to see millions disappearing. People don't speak because they are frightened of repercussions. There is a growing discontentment. I hear it alot. IWe need a realistic actionable way to stop the waterfall of money disappearing. I know David is on the case. In the meantime it's the poorer people that are suffering.
Adrienne
2025-05-19 05:20:06
Let's give Harlow what it deserves.Alot more council houses.I do wish that the internal roads and pavements were updated too,S little zebra crossing for the little Pardon school.Our children need to be protected 24/7.An updated hospital. More townpark events.An older womens football team. A more modern approach for our youngsters skill set. A more protected ladies ambulance service. Free charging for mobility scooters. A council intervention for maintenance e ofcouncil and housing association buildings. No bedroom tav. Low tax for small farms.We need to protect our local farms. And indeed all small farms. Better mental heallth services for suicidal people. An updated fire and police service.. Put some money into the people . More accessible advice . And greater protection for disabled people. Cheaper housing.That would for a start. Am I the only person that cares. And stop cutting disability benefits for physically and mentally disabled people,even though this is not a council problem,People are getting really upset about this.
Teddy dale
2025-05-25 17:27:42
Pah has just saved my life the government should be ashamed. If it was a rich area I have no doubt there would be any issues.
Brian
2025-05-27 21:31:34
"Put some money into the people"? Adrienne. What people? and whose money?apart from that question it sounds OK.
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