MP welcomes GSK decision to keep on staff during coronavirus crisis

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has challenged the management of GSK not to go ahead with plans to lay off staff during the coronavirus crisis.

A number of staff were set to lose their jobs this Spring after the firm made the decision to stop manufacturing ingredients of sterile injections at Ulverston.

But during a call with the firm's management this afternoon, Tim was encouraged to hear that they had extended the contracts of employees who would be left in financial difficulties.

Tim said: "At a time when South Lakeland is predicted to be one of the areas most exposed to the economic impacts of coronavirus, it would be appalling to unnecessarily carry on with making large redundancies especially when the Job Retention Scheme is available for employers.

"So, I was encouraged to hear that GSK have decided to keep some staff on their payroll who would otherwise be left in severe economic hardship.

"However, it was less clear how many staff are now being kept on or for how long.

"Meanwhile it is a shame that GSK have not agreed to consider using its spare capacity to develop and produce a vaccine for coronavirus."