by political editor Paul Francis

The Prime Minister today described Pfizer's decision to quit its Kent plant as depressing - but insisted the government will do all it can to help employees and find a new use for the site.

Mr Cameron was asked about Pfizer's shock announcement at Prime Minister's Questions today by Thanet South MP Laura Sandys.

She pressed him to ensure that the government did all it could to secure Pfizer's site and find other companies to locate there.

In response, Mr Cameron said: "It is depressing news... it is bad news.

"My office has been in contact with Pfizer and I have spoken to them this morning.

"The company is keeping all its options open, including what should happen to the site.

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"It is a state of the art site which has brilliant employees doing brilliant work and we will do everything we can."

Audio: Cameron speaks out about Pfizer in The Commons

The company's decision was based on its decision to move away from "some areas of endeavour" and was not a reflection on the east Kent site, he added.