GSK must leave 'dowry' to support future investment and protect jobs

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has called for pharmaceutical giant GSK to leave a dowry behind to make future investment in the site more attractive for a potential buyer and support local jobs.

GSK this week shocked the area by pulling out of a planned £350million investment in the Ulverston site which would have supported hundreds of local jobs.

Tim said: "The local community is reeling from this news, people feel betrayed and many residents are understandably concerned about the impact on jobs. GSK should commit to leaving a substantial dowry of several million pounds, to show good faith to the local community.

"Leaving a dowry to help a new buyer convert the site will make this a more attractive prospect for another potential investor and help to ensure that the jobs this would have brought are not lost.

"Leaving even a fraction of the £350million that GSK would have invested would help to support local jobs and partially compensate local residents for this blow. Our local community has shown deep commitment to GSK. GSK must now show an ongoing commitment to our community. Anything else will be an appalling betrayal."