New integrated science facility to be established in Harlow

The government has announced plans to establish a public health science centre of excellence in Harlow as part of the latest Spending Review.

More than 400 million pounds in funding has been earmarked for the integrated science facility, which will represent the completion of a broader plan to bring all of the country's public health laboratories on to a single integrated campus.

The new Science Hub will act as a centre of excellence for research, health improvement and protection, with world-renowned scientists working to protect and improve the health of the nation.

It will incorporate Public Health England's new headquarters and help to ensure that the UK is better protected against major threats such as pandemic flu, as well as international hazards like Ebola.

Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for health, said: "Through this multi-million pound investment we will create a brand new centre bringing together clinical experts in state-of-the-art facilities."

The site will be fully operational by 2024, with the first facilities opening in 2019.