Back British Metals initiative builds support and outlines plans for industry growth

The Back British Metals (BBM) initiative has reaffirmed 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 increasing political support, BBM is advocating for the sector’s recognition as a vital contributor to national infrastructure, defence, advanced manufacturing and sustainability – despite its omission from the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.

At the latest strategy meeting, industry leaders and stakeholders outlined sector priorities across short-, medium and long-term horizons. Discussions focused on global competitiveness, investment potential and securing metals’ place in the UK’s industrial strategy, underscoring the sector’s critical role in the nation’s economic future.

Mike Smith, BBM representative and vice president of the 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 UK metals ecosystem, encompassing all alloys and supply chains from production to recycling. Supported by a coalition of trade associations and industry leaders, it is dedicated to securing the sector’s future and advocating for its recognition as a key economic contributor.

A core focus is achieving greater policy recognition, as the government’s Industrial Strategy omits metals as a growth sector, despite its crucial role in infrastructure, defence and advanced manufacturing. BBM is working to ensure the industry receives the support and investment needed to remain competitive.

The initiative also promotes innovation and investment by highlighting the UK’s expertise in metal manufacturing, processing and advanced materials. BBM showcases emerging technologies and research to attract investment while advocating for stronger domestic processing, manufacturing, and recycling to enhance resource security and resilience.

BBM is committed to championing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of the UK’s industrial base by ensuring their voice is heard in policy discussions, trade agreements and investment decisions. Workforce development is also a key focus, with BBM advocating for skills in metals, engineering and advanced manufacturing to meet industry demands.

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, it will engage with policymakers to integrate the sector into government strategies and launch a communications campaign to highlight its role in critical supply chains. Strengthening industry engagement will also be a priority to create a unified advocacy approach.

Over the medium term, BBM will position the UK metals sector as a high-value investment opportunity through targeted reports, events, and media outreach. It will also focus on enhancing supply chain resilience by promoting UK-based processing, manufacturing, and recycling.

Long 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 long-term 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 at 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 agreed, 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