MP Laura Sandys calls for reassurance that Sandwich will not lose jobs over Pfizer’s potential takeover of a UK company.

The Sandwich MP spoke out in Parliament on the issue of Pfizer’s takeover of UK pharmaceutical rival AstraZeneca, which could put 600 jobs in Sandwich at risk.

US based Pfizer has made a bid for the company despite AstraZeneca wishing to avoid a takeover due to fears this could mean severe job cuts.

Pfizer pulled out of Sandwich in 2011 causing significant job loss in the area but there is still a Pfizer site based at the Discovery Park, a science and business park which took the pharmaceutical’s place.

Sandys asked Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, for assurance that the government would consider the security of Sandwich jobs when discussing the takeover.

He said the “securing of that continued presence [at Sandwich] which is a very substantial one...would be a key part of any future discussion we have with the company.”

Ms Sandys said: “The Sandwich site provides jobs for over 600 people in east Kent and it is so important that they are protected.

“With the success of the Discovery Park, exciting new renewable energy developments and a growing manufacturing sector, Sandwich is very quickly becoming a centre for science and innovation and we should be supporting that in every way we can.

“Following informal discussions with ministers I will be seeking a formal meeting with the Science Minister, David Willetts MP, to make sure that the interests of the people of east Kent are represented in this deal.”

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury.