THE UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is leaving its facility in Porton Down – and heading for Essex.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Lab, Ilford North) has confirmed the UKHSA will relocate to a new base in Harlow in the coming years, including operations in Wiltshire.

However, he said the Ministry of Defence facility in the county would remain.

Salisbury MP, Conservative John Glen, told ITV News the government had missed an opportunity.

“Wes Streeting had the opportunity to save a lot of money, but they are now pursuing a very expensive move that nobody wants,” he said.

“Nobody who works at Porton Down wants to move to Harlow, or very small numbers do, and it’ll take many, many years to come to pass, so it’s a missed opportunity.

“I hoped Wes Streeting wouldn’t go down this route but frankly I’m not surprised,” he added.

The Health Secretary said workers in Wiltshire now had certainty over their futures, particularly those working for the MoD.

“I think there will be some disappointment in Porton Down,” he told ITV. “I think the reassurance for Porton Down is two things; Firstly, that they have reassurance about their future, and secondly, the MoD capability in Porton Down remains.

“So actually, everyone wins. You have the MoD continuing their commitment to Porton Down and we’ve got the UKHSA in Harlow.”

He said the move would be “great for the town”, as well as bring “really important for our health security and national security”.

Porton Down has been home to the UKHSA’s pathogen genomics, vaccine development, and environmental health testing facilities – including the rare and imported pathogens lab – which will all now move to Harlow.

However, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DstL), run by the MoD, will remain on the site.