PRIME Minister Boris Johnson says he has the 'deepest sympathy' for Glaxo Smith Kline workers affected by job losses and predicts a bio-science 'boom'.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson said that Barrow and Furness should take part in the emergence of bio-science and technology following job losses in Ulverston.

He committed to meeting Furness MP Simon Fell to discuss how the company can leave a 'meaningful legacy' for the town.

GSK bosses announced in February that the site would close by 2025 after the company sold parts of its business to a pharmaceuticals company, with more than 100 jobs at risk.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Fell asked Mr Johnson: “A decade ago, GSK announced a £350million investment plan in Ulverston in my constituency which they said would create up to 1,000 new jobs.

"In 2017 they scrapped that investment and, last month, announced that they are set to close the facility altogether.

“As you might imagine, the community feels bruised and betrayed. From the promise of almost 1,500 high-skilled and well-paid pharma jobs in our community, we face there being none by 2025.

“Will my right honourable friend agree to meet with me and throw the weight of the Government behind efforts to ensure that GSK delivers a meaningful legacy for Ulverston?”

In response the Prime Minister said: “I want to express my deepest sympathy to all those in Ulverston who have been affected by these job losses.

“I will certainly meet with [Mr Fell] and I think that bio-science is one of the great growth areas for this country in the future.

“I am determined that Barrow and Furness should take part in that boom along with everywhere else, alongside other high technologies.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron and former Barrow MP Lord Walney have both called for the Government to consider expelling the chief executive of Glaxo SmithKline from a special council designed to aid recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lord Walney said Barrow-born Dame Emma Walmsley was ‘damaging’ the country after GSK announced plans to wind up its Ulverston operation.