Labour must shore up materials security or fall short of infrastructure strategy ambitions

Diana Casey - headshot

By importing key construction materials such as cement, the infrastructure strategy faces potential disruption due to supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical issues. Diana Casey, executive director at the Mineral Products Association, makes the case for a thriving domestic industry

The wait is nearly over for the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy and, before too long, UK industries will need to start putting proposals into action. With the recent spotlight on tariffs and the uncertainties faced by industries such as steel, questions are emerging over where we get our materials from – and whether we will have the building blocks we need to make Labour’s growth ambitions a reality.

Cement and concrete are undeniably key building blocks. They are essential as enablers of growth. Without them, we cannot build – whether that be water and energy infrastructure, roads, bridges, railways, airports or other projects that underpin the economy.

Despite this, we have seen an increasing reliance on cement supply from overseas, weakening our materials security as a result. Cement imports into the UK have tripled over the past 20 years and now make up 32% of the market

Already registered? Login here

To continue enjoying Building.co.uk, sign up for free guest access

Existing subscriber? LOGIN

 

Stay at the forefront of thought leadership with news and analysis from award-winning journalists. Enjoy company features, CEO interviews, architectural reviews, technical project know-how and the latest innovations.

  • Limited access to building.co.uk
  • Breaking industry news as it happens
  • Breaking, daily and weekly e-newsletters

Get your free guest access  SIGN UP TODAY

Gated access promo

Subscribe now for unlimited access

 

Subscribe to Building today and you will benefit from:

  • Unlimited access to all stories including expert analysis and comment from industry leaders
  • Our league tables, cost models and economics data
  • Our online archive of over 10,000 articles
  • Building magazine digital editions
  • Building magazine print editions
  • Printed/digital supplements

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

View our subscription options and join our community