When AstraZeneca relocated from the Alderley Park site to Cambridge, it could have been devastating for the local area given how big an employer it was and the wealth of talent employed there.

But rather than leave Alderley Park with AZ, many of the staff chose to stay and start their own business on the site instead.

It might have been a gamble for them but it has certainly paid off. Those who stayed - along with those who came to join them - had access to £1.4billion worth of state-of-the-art lab space, the likes of which many small businesses would never have been able to afford, and this equipment has allowed these businesses to thrive.

In fact last week, I visited one such company - ApconiX - founded by three scientists who had worked at AstraZeneca, Professor Ruth Roberts, Dr Richard Knight and Dr Michael Morton.

They are world leading experts in ion channel biology and all aspects of non-clinical programme design and technology, as well as keeping one foot in the academic world to ensure they remain at the cutting edge of research. They have made ApconiX an internationally acclaimed business, and in the space of 8 years have become a multi award winning one at that, recently winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Knutsford Guardian: Esther McVey MP with Professor Ruth RobertsEsther McVey MP with Professor Ruth Roberts

There is no doubt in my mind Alderley Park should play a significant part in Government’s long-term industrial strategy, particularly as it is a world leader in biotech and houses so many scientists with so many different skills. The wealth of knowledge at the location is astounding, and just one of the site’s unique selling points is taking a product from concept to market. For example, it holds the key to protecting patients as they develop new drugs and products, the importance of which we have seen in the covid pandemic.

I’ve been told many times that 90 per cent of investment grants for life sciences go to the Southeast, and I want this north-south funding bias to end. I’ve raised this matter many times with Government and will keep doing so.

Knutsford Guardian: Professor Ruth Roberts, Dr Richard Knight and Dr Michael MortonProfessor Ruth Roberts, Dr Richard Knight and Dr Michael Morton

In Tatton we have the biggest life science centre in Europe, and it is vital we have the funding to ensure future generations of scientists are trained here.

We are leading the way in science, and I'll keep raising that point in Parliament, to make sure our scientists get the recognition they deserve.