The Back British Metals (BBM) initiative has reinforced its commitment to positioning the UK metals industry as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and national resilience following a pivotal meeting with Chris McDonald MP.
With growing political backing, BBM is playing a leading role in ensuring that metals, a sector omitted as a growth sector from the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, are recognised as an industry of opportunity that underpins national infrastructure, defence, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability.
At the latest BBM strategy meeting, industry leaders and key stakeholders gathered to outline priorities for the sector in the short, medium and long term. The discussions focused on the sector’s global competitiveness, investment potential and its place in the UK’s industrial strategy. The meeting reaffirmed the need to present metals as a vital part of the UK’s future economic strategy and to demonstrate the value of the sector across multiple industries.
Mike Smith, BBM Representative and Vice President, International Wrought Copper Council, commented: “There is a big opportunity for the UK metals industry. Technologies like AI, electric vehicles, new infrastructure and green energy all rely on and use more metals. Supporting the UK’s metals value chains will boost growth, security and jobs in the global economy of the future.”
BBM represents the entire metals ecosystem, covering all alloys and supply chains from primary production to recycling and re-use. With the support of a broad coalition of trade associations and industry leaders, the initiative is committed to securing the future of the UK metals sector and advocating for its recognition as a vital part of the economy.
A key focus of the initiative is achieving greater policy recognition for the UK metals sector. The government’s recent Industrial Strategy did not include metals as an individual growth sector, which risks overlooking an industry that is essential to national infrastructure, defence, and advanced manufacturing. BBM is working to ensure that metals are recognised within government policy and that the industry receives the support and investment it needs to remain competitive.
The initiative also seeks to unlock innovation and investment within the sector. The UK is home to world-class expertise in metal manufacturing, processing and advanced materials. BBM is showcasing breakthrough technologies, research and development opportunities, and the UK’s role in global supply chains to attract both domestic and international investment. Strengthening the national supply chain is another priority, with BBM advocating for greater domestic processing, manufacturing and recycling to improve resource security and resilience.
A core part of BBM’s mission is to champion small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the UK’s industrial base. The initiative is ensuring that these businesses have a strong voice in policy discussions, trade agreements and investment decisions. BBM is also highlighting the importance of workforce development, ensuring that skills in metals, engineering and advanced manufacturing are nurtured to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry.
Following discussions with Chris McDonald MP, BBM has outlined a strategic roadmap to secure recognition, investment and industrial strategy support for the metals industry. In the short term, the initiative will focus on engaging with policymakers to ensure that the UK metals sector is included in key government strategies. BBM will also launch a communications campaign to raise awareness of the industry’s importance to critical supply chains. Industry engagement will be strengthened to create a unified approach to advocating for the sector.
Over the medium term, BBM will showcase the UK metals sector as a high-value investment opportunity through targeted industry reports, events and media engagement. The initiative will work on improving supply chain resilience by promoting UK-based processing, manufacturing and recycling.
In the longer term, BBM is seeking to secure a dedicated government focus on the metals sector, ensuring that it is recognised as an industry of strategic importance. The initiative will work to position the UK as a global leader in metals innovation, sustainability and international trade. Sustainability will also remain a key focus, with BBM working to integrate recycling and low-carbon metal production into the UK’s industrial policy for longterm competitiveness.
The UK metals industry stands at a crossroads. It can either be overlooked in policy decisions or recognised as a key enabler of economic growth, innovation and national security. BBMI is ensuring that the UK metals sector is no longer sidelined and instead positioned as a strategic asset for the future.
Andy Walker, Government Affairs Director, Johnson Matthey, commented: “There can be no modern Industrial Strategy without the metals industry. The strategy has identified eight Growth Sectors and metals play a critical role in six of them. It’s vital we seize the opportunity to ensure that a large proportion of the metals and derived products used to enable and drive growth within the Industrial Strategy are supplied, manufactured, and recycled within the UK.”
Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation agrees, saying, “The UK metals sector can be part of the solution for growth for the UK. Our foundries use secondary metals to produce a wide range of parts that go into many supply chains, from energy generation to construction and transport solutions, adding value and providing jobs around the country. We are keen to be part of the solution and welcome the opportunity to work closely with UK Government alongside our partners in the industry.”
With increasing Parliamentary support, growing industry collaboration and a data-led approach, BBM is committed to delivering a stronger and more competitive UK metals sector. The initiative will continue to ensure that metals are recognised, invested in and positioned as a key driver of the UK’s economic future.
For more information, visit: www.backbritishmetals.org