British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has halted a planned £200 million expansion of its research facility in Cambridge , the company confirmed.

The decision follows the drug manufacturer's earlier abandonment of plans to invest £450 million in a vaccine manufacturing plant in Merseyside this year, dealing a setback to the Government as it emphasises its dedication to economic growth and enhancing the nation's appeal to international investors.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson said: "We constantly reassess the investment needs of our company and can confirm our expansion in Cambridge is paused.

"We have no further comment to make."

In February, AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot expressed being "very disappointed" about scrapping the Merseyside facility but explained the company

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