14/05/2014 Look East - West

AstraZeneca as they compete over their to Cambridge. I think we could

be a really brilliant team. That is what the UK needs. We ask what

happened in the East the last time these `` to pharmaceutical giants

merge. We will be here later with the tale of two roads.

And the flowers of Flanders ` growers here take inspiration

from the Western front to mark the centenary of the war.

If you're a bio`scientist in Cambridgeshire,

Two of the biggest drugs companies in the world falling over themselves

to praise the city's qualitx of scientific research.

For a second day, the bosses of Pfizer and Astra

Zeneca addressed a parliamentary committee discussing the proposed

But it's not all good news, with Pfizer admitting that

if they win the battle therd would be job losses and a reduction in

Andrew Sinclair watched tod`y's developments at Westminster.

There is no doubt that Cambridge and its skill set is highly sought

after. What worries MPs is, will that skill set still be in Cambridge

in the same number as if the that skill set still be in Cambridge

in the same number as if thd merger in the same number as if thd merger

goes ahead? Pfizer have said they will be committed to Cambridge but

have not said how many staff there will employ. This is a company that

will employ. This is a comp`ny that is a very big employer in the

region. Once again, the team from region. Once again, the team from

Pfizer arrived at Westminster with the message that their mergdr

Pfizer arrived at Westminstdr with the message that their merger with

AstraZeneca would create a powerhouse of science, particularly

in Cambridge. The company rdvealed it was very impressed with oncology

research work, currently behng research work, currently being

undertaken by AstraZeneca staff in the city. That is a real core area

for us and it complements our strengths. We could be a re`lly

winning team putting the best of the two together. AstraZeneca fears that

two together. AstraZeneca fdars that work could move to America if Pfizer

work could move to America hf Pfizer takes over. Once again, a lot of the

questions focused on the detail Would there be fewer jobs in

Cambridge, less investment in the Cambridge, less investment in the

UK? The boss of Pfizer admitted there would be fewer staff hn the

there would be fewer staff in the whole company and less monex for

research, but he said that is happening across the industry. Even

AstraZeneca have shed staff. We are in an extremely competitive world

where governments around the world where governments around thd world

are requiring us to be more productive and efficient. Wd have

productive and efficient. We have two CR research in that point of

view. A more optimistic message from AstraZeneca. They removed it

Cambridge, they said, was underway. There are plans for the future were

There are plans for the futtre were to keep growing and investing in the

city. We are not moving to Cambridge and spending all this money

overnight to reduce the headcount. Cambridge is going to be a

fundamental part of the str`tegy. Cambridge is going to be a

fundamental part of the strategy. It fundamental part of the str`tegy. It

is at the heart of the science agenda. Pfizer says it can be more

specific about plans for Cambridge if it takes over the companx. Many

if it takes over the company. Many politicians and scientists remain

wary. Andrew, why are MPs so worrhed about

this proposed takeover? First of all, they are scarred by melories of

all, they are scarred by memories of the Cadbury 's takeover. Thd

all, they are scarred by melories of the Cadbury 's takeover. The other

the Cadbury 's takeover. Thd other reason is that this country's

economic policies based on the success of the so`called knowledge

economy. We're never going to be a big manufacturing nation ag`in

because we cannot compete with China because we cannot compete with China

and India. But we are very good at science and innovation. Govdrnment

policy has been to do all that is possible to encourage science to

Cambridge and the surrounding area. The problem we have is that science

likes to work in clusters. The worry is that if some of the AstraZeneca

is that if some of the Astr`Zeneca work starts to move to other parts

of the world, other companids in of the world, other companies in

Cambridge and surrounding areas may follow it. Then the worry is that

would be bad not just for the country's economy, but for the

economy of the region. That is why MPs are desperate to get sole sort

of firm reassurance from Pfhzer Thank you.

So what lessons can we learn from previous mega mergers?

Thirteen years ago, the pharmaceutical companies,

Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham, got together to become

After a few years, a major research site was closed.

Hundreds of jobs were lost, as our business correspondent

The East of England is home to what is arguably Europe's most important

is arguably Europe's most ilportant biotech and life sciences cluster.

It boasts more than 250 biotech companies, 100 medical technology

firms and 370 service organisations. firms and 370 service organisations.

It is all within a biotech golden triangle between London, Oxford and

Cambridge. The jewel in the crown would be the new AstraZenec`

would be the new AstraZeneca research and development centre in

Cambridge, due to open in 2016. But there is an equally important jewel

in Stevenage, the GlaxoSmithKline research Centre. This place employs

2300 people and has the job of developing the new drugs pipeline of

Britain's biggest pharmaceuticals company. Behind it is a story which

illustrates the dangers of megamergers in the drugs sector.

illustrates the dangers of megamergers in the drugs sector 13

megamergers in the drugs sector. 13 years ago, Glaxo merged with

SmithKline Beecham. SmithKlhne had a SmithKline Beecham. SmithKlhne had a

major research Centre in Harlow. major research Centre in Harlow.

After a few years, the largdst park After a few years, the largdst park

was closed with the loss of 380 jobs. It shows how difficult it is

to avoid job cuts, even if xou jobs. It shows how difficult it is

to avoid job cuts, even if you have to avoid job cuts, even if xou have

a national merger among two British companies. It is very difficult to

make commitments in advance because you need to give companies the

flexibility to adjust to ch`nging circumstances. And if those

circumstances call for a job cuts, it is often the junior partner who

suffers. Has Harlow recovered since? There are green shoots. As one of

the enterprise zones in the country, we are trying very hard to dntice

companies to relocate to Harlow. We are hoping that eventually there

will be replaced. Harlow still bears will be replaced. Harlow still bears

the scars of a drugs merger. This flagship research building remains

empty as Pfizer's battle for AstraZeneca hots up, Cambridge will

be hoping to avoid a similar fate. A court has heard that two teenagers

were shot dead on a Milton Keynes Luton Crown Court was told both

victims were shot in the head during the execution`style killing

in May two years ago. Two men have already been convicted

of murdering 19`year`old Mohammed Abdi Farah

and 18`year`old Amin Ahmed Ismail. Neil Bradford is at

Luton Crown Court. The prosecution say the mothve

in this case is a familiar one. Rivalry between criminals arising

from the trade of illegal drugs. In May 2011 Mohammed Farrah,

who was 19, and 18`year`old Amin Ahmed Ismail,

were both shot in the head `t close range, in an alleyway on thd

Fishermead estate in Milton Keynes. Today the jury heard

a 999 call made by a local resident, In the recording he tells the

operator he has heard two gunshots As the call continues,

a third shot is heard. The prosecution say it was

administered to ensure In the dock, the accused RA 26 of

Dutch national and a 20`year`old. Opening for the prosecution,

Jonathan Price QC told the jury that there was a chillingly brazen

there was a chillingly brazdn character to these murders. And the

man who died 999 had effecthvely man who died 999 had effecthvely

staged an execution. The prosecution say there are five men involved in

these shootings. Three have already been tried. Two have been found

guilty and another acquitted. The prosecution say they are all part of

the same gang. The jury were prosecution say they are all part of

the same gang. The jury were told that two days after the murder, one

of the defendants flew back to his native Holland. The other defendant

native Holland. The other ddfendant was arrested in 2011 but not

charged. When he found that he was not facing charges, he bought a

one`way ticket to Tanzania. He returned voluntarily in July

one`way ticket to Tanzania. He returned voluntarily in Julx of last

returned voluntarily in July of last year but was arrested at He`throw

year but was arrested at Heathrow and charged with the mark. Both say

they are not guilty and the case will continue tomorrow.

Part of Luton town centre w`s closed to traffic this afternoon

The A505 dual carriageway on Stuart Street was closed to allow

The accident happened at the Castle Street Roundabout.

The cyclist, a man in his late 40s, became trapped underneath the car.

His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

It's been described as the key to the regeneration

The new Corby link road opens in just nine days.

With the closure of Solway Foods and the loss of over 900 jobs, the need

to attract more companies into the town is more pressing than ever.

Today Stuart Ratcliffe became one of the first people to drivd over

In its short life, this road has already attracted its fair share of

attention. Its first salt was cut already attracted its fair share of

attention. Its first salt w`s cut by attention. Its first salt was cut by

the transport minister. Then it took centre stage at the Corby

by`election. Now it is gearing up by`election. Now it is gearhng up

for its key role, to regenerate Corby's economy. It will cldarly

encourage business to go into Corby and maintain its regeneration and

future prosperity, hopefully, and maintain its regeneration and

future prosperity, hopefullx, and growth in the area. The new road

links Corby to Kettering. This is where the new road really whll make

where the new road really will make a difference. This is home to

Corby's euro hope, a large collection of distribution centres.

Very shortly, lorries from there will no longer have two trundle down

the winding road, but will be able to join this new dual carri`geway

taking them to Kettering. The road has cost ?34 million and is just

four miles long but is dual carriageway throughout. The current

route is nearly six miles long, single carriageway and takes traffic

through picturesque villages. It has taken two years to build. With a

wash`out summer of 2012 and this winter being one of the wettest on

record, at one point this project was behind schedule. It was day by

day, are we going to get on, or are we not going to get on? There is

still plenty of work to do on site. Contractors say they are now on`time

and on budget and the road will be ready for its grand opening on the

23rd of May. In football,

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson blamed his side's poor finishing

for their League One play`off defeat Posh lost 2`1 ` 3`2 on aggregate `

their only goal coming yestdrday from Conor Washington

in injury time. Ferguson admitted his side lacked

the clinical edge over the two legs. It means a second season in League

One for Posh after their relegation Now it's over to Stewart and Susie

for the rest of the programme. A five day weather forecast

to make you smile. Plus a war`time floral tribtte,

inspired by the fields of Flanders. The government has dropped

its strongest hint yet that it is taking steps towards upgradhng one

of the region's busiest roads. Campaigners welcomed comments

at a Parliamentary debate, which could pave the way

for dualling of the A47. The road runs from Great Yarmouth

through Norfolk and Cambridgeshire to Peterborough and the Midlands,

but less than half is dual Today, local MPs raised the state

of the road in Parliament and said unless it is improved drivers

and businesses will continud to If ministers had an open

cheque`book, perhaps the entire stretch of the A47 would be drilled.

Realistically, it is not going to Realistically, it is not gohng to

happen. That said, the government did these local MPs and said that if

you come back in the autumn I made sure you something that will make

you smile. For Dennis, an upgrade to the A47

can't come soon enough. It would save us a good 30,

45 minutes just to get to the A1. His boss runs 23 lorries

from his base near King's Lxnn. A dual carriageway would improve

fuel economy On single carriageway,

our trucks stick to 40mph, It would improve times

and efficiency. An all too familiar sight,

the sheer weight And so today, local MPs queued up

like cars to echo what local An upgrade to this

over`crowded road. I suggest that he does make sure he

gets it in place for the We will have completed stagd two

by the end of July and will be ready to make announcements by thd end

of the Autumn Statement. Campaigners say

the improvements would, within 20 years, generate 10,00 new

jobs and increase economic output From an economic perspectivd

that really is quite expensive. The best we can hope

for is a section between King's Lynn And perhaps reassure

safety campaigners. In Norfolk alone last month,

there was one death and fivd You do get instances, appro`ching

the end of the dual carriageway, When it goes to single,

there can be collisions. It's ended up with

fatal consequences. The chancellor outlined in the

Autumn Statement how much he would Autumn Statement how much hd would

pay towards the day of the road It will come just six months before a

general election. The money is not on the table yet.

A week tomorrow, people from all over Europe will bd casting

Those MEPs will represent half a billion people.

In our region, the electorate will include

thousands of migrant workers, living and paying their way here.

vote in the regional poll, or cast their vote at home.

Today, we spoke to members of the Polish community in Petdrborough

Joanna has been here for seven years.

Britain has given her opportunities Poland never could.

One reason why our Euro MPs will get her vote.

I think I will vote for the British list.

I've lived here for so many years and local matters are more important

All EU citizens have the right to vote, either in the country they

came from, or where they live now, making potentially rich pickings

Figures show that across Peterborough more than

125,000 people can vote in the European elections.

More than 10,000 have moved here from another European country.

But half of those said that rather than vote in their own country, they

At Peterborough's Polish ex`servicemen's club,

a veteran who settled here after the Second World War says it's vital

Isn't it better to achieve the goal of unity?

Instead of on the end of a bomb, or by killing people?

I can't imagine someone would ask me to leave the country

I can't imagine I could be sent back to Poland

because I couldn't find myself in the country I used to live!

A snapshot of the region's tourism industry has revealed the hhghest

The latest quarterly report covering Suffolk and Norfolk shows that firms

are reporting more visits to the region, compared to

And bookings for the early summer are already well up on last year.

And all of that means growing confidence in an industry, which

pumps about ?7 billion into the economy of this region everx year.

If you're looking for reasons why this region is such

a target for tourism, look no further than Lavenh`m

in Suffolk ` recently ranked in the top 20 places in the UK to visit.

This is Shilling Grange ` where 'Twinkle, Twinkle,

The owner has just started ` new B here with his wife.

All of our guests come here and spend money,

If you keep the village alive, more people come back.

It's a ball that's rolling `ll the time.

70 miles away on the coast, the holiday giant Warner Leisure

Hotels has invested heavily in this complex for the over 50s.

A large percentage come back for a second time so we know they like it.

Last year we invested ?2.6 million and we want to invest

The feel good factor isn't restricted to just a few.

The industry is seeing an improvement in positivitx.

An increase in customer numbers and spend.

Tourism is worth over ?7 billion to East Anglia.

In cycling, the spectacle of the women's tour gave this region

publicity and the BBC progr`mme Spring Watch should do the same.

There is momentum, but to ststain it, we need more investment

Think of the First World War and one symbol springs to mind ` the poppy.

A wild flower, it grew in Flanders amidst

Now a nursery in Norfolk has used those same wild flowers to help

the people of Guernsey mark the centenary of the war.

They have sent hundreds of plants to the Channel Islands

for a special display called the Flowers of Flanders.

Linda is passionate about wild flowers.

Her company grows two million every year.

She was given a brief ` go to Flanders, find the wild

flowers of the trenches, grow them and then send them to Guernsey for

We've got daisies which are flowering all over

We also had others flowering everywhere, and the poppy.

Linda's flowers have found ` home in St Peter Port,

The display was unveiled at the weekend by the island's governor,

in memory of the 2,000 Guernseymen who fought on the Western Front

There are buttercups, daisids, thrift and many more.

One of the plants we took, Heartsease,

Its name suggests it was meant to heal a broken heart.

They would have it in posies and grow it in the gardens.

Lots of broken hearts during the wars!

Numbers of wild flowers are declining.

Linda wants her passion to be shared by everyone.

You need the plants to have the insects and the birds.

It's important that they do know, otherwise they'll grow up

Linda's Guernsey displays aren't at their best just yet,

A colourful reminder of the flowers of Flanders.

This is a beautiful scene. Thank you for the photograph. It was a

This is a beautiful scene. Thank you for the photograph. It was ` chilly

start to the day. There was a swing in temperatures. 18 Celsius. It is

going to continue to warm up during the week. At some point this week,

five Freddy, it will look like the week. At some point this week,

five Freddy, it will look lhke some five Freddy, it will look lhke some

places will record highs of 23 Celsius. The cloud should mhlk away.

Celsius. The cloud should milk away. Some chilly temperatures and

poisons. Down to 67 Celsius. The temperatures are not expectdd to go

temperatures are not expected to go quite as more as last night. It is

looking like a warm and bright day. There will be a bit more close

around, but enjoy the sunshhne in the morning. The cloud will tend to

build`up. When we get the stnshine build`up. When we get the stnshine

in the morning it will make things warm up quickly. 17 or 18 ddgrees.

warm up quickly. 17 or 18 degrees. In the afternoon at staying dry and

warm. It will be a cloudy. Towards the end of the week there is high

pressure. It might something is a little cloudy. But it should not

spoil the weekend. Before then, someone temperatures. A bit of close

building on the afternoon on Saturday. It should be later in the

day. Increasing amounts of cloud for Sunday but 31. That sounds lovely.

See you tomorrow. Europe. A community of nations

which can do no wrong. A perfect brotherhood

in which we all share. the benefits are obvious to

being in... Hampering a British recovery

and harping on about climate change. It's time to get out,

it's time to get... It's almost 20 years

since we won Eurovision,