MP heralds 'massive' investment in South Lakes

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has today congratulated South Lakeland District Council on landing a half-a-billion pound investment to Ulverston. Tim has heralded the investment by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as a major sign of business confidence in the South Lakes.

GlaxoSmithKline unveiled plans to build its first new manufacturing facility in the UK in almost 40 years today when it announced its intention to build a new biopharmaceutical plant in Ulverston.

South Lakeland District Council has worked with Cumbria County Council and local MP's to help bring 300 new high-tech jobs to our area. According to estimates the new plant could bring around £10m to the South Lakeland economy every year.

The GSK Ulverston site faced competition from the pharmaceutical giant's other plants in Barnard Castle, Durham, and Montrose and Irvine in Scotland. Tim met with Vince Cable and other government ministers to press the case for the Ulverston site.

Tim said: "This is wonderful news and a massive boost to the South Lakes economy. I constantly campaign to bring well paid local jobs to Cumbria and I am delighted that GlaxoSmithKline are investing in our community. It really has been a massive team effort and I want to pay tribute to all involved.

"My friend Brendan Jameson was a key player in helping me lobby to bring GlaxoSmithKline and I'm heartbroken that he won't get to see all his fantastic work has paid off"