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Critical Minerals Strategy 2025-11-24
24 November 2025
Lead MP
Chris McDonald
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationClimate
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Chris McDonald raised concerns about critical minerals strategy 2025-11-24 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government has launched a new critical minerals strategy, Vision 2035, aimed at ensuring the UK can access vital materials for technology and energy while enhancing economic security. The UK already possesses significant mineral resources such as lithium in Cornwall, tungsten in Devon, titanium in Swansea, and more. By combining domestic production, recycling, innovation, and financial support, the strategy aims to meet 10% of annual demand from domestic sources and 20% from recycling by 2035.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
The shadow minister criticises the strategy for its lack of mention regarding China's dominance in the critical minerals market and asks about the Department’s assessment on this matter. She points out inconsistencies in the document, including spelling mistakes and incorrect statistics, questioning industry trust in the Government. The shadow minister also questions the impact of high energy prices and the closure of North Sea operations on the critical minerals industry. Furthermore, she raises concerns about foreign direct investment decline and potential tax rises impacting the sector.
Chris McDonald
Con
The Government are aware of China's dominance in critical minerals supply chains, controlling up to 90% of the market. The strategy aims for greater diversity of supply at home and through international partnerships like G7, G20, NATO. The British industrial competitiveness scheme will reduce electricity bills by £40 per MWh, reducing costs by 25%. Investment must flow into Cornwall to create jobs and reduce reliance on China.
Perran Moon
Lab
Camborne and Redruth
Cornwall has a unique geology and is at the epicentre of the critical minerals opportunity. The Labour Government's strategy includes £50 million in funding, domestic production targets, and aims to create jobs while reducing reliance on China.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
The Liberal Democrats support steps towards green growth but question the effectiveness of current measures. They ask for further steps to reduce reliance on unreliable foreign sources and how the UK will remain competitive with US and EU incentives.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Welcomes the strategy for Cornwall, highlighting opportunities at Falmouth port and restoration of a freight railway to move critical minerals sustainably. Hopes these will benefit local communities.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Queries about phosphates which are crucial for agriculture, suggesting bilateral agreements with Morocco for reliable supply.
Anna Gelderd
Lab
South East Cornwall
Welcomes the plan to create opportunities for businesses in South East Cornwall such as Cornwall Resources. Asks how investment will be supported by a clear skills plan and community involvement.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Questions the specific target year of 2035, suggesting closer timescales should be considered given deteriorating international relationships.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Welcomes domestic supplies of critical minerals for economic security and resilience. Asks how the spoils of industry can cascade through local workforce, supply chains, and even ownership in Cornwall.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
The Member expressed concern over stockpiling of critical minerals for national security purposes. He urged the Minister to expand the scope of stockpiling beyond the defence industry.
St Ives
Welcoming the strategy, he asked the Minister to ensure that Cornwall's industrial strategy, which includes space and green energy sectors, is backed by the Government for the critical minerals strategy delivery.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
The Member questioned how the strategy supports national security and major defence programmes such as AUKUS submarine programme. He highlighted that secure access to critical minerals is central for both UK's national security strategy and European defence.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Expressed concern over the vulnerability of UK energy production due to reliance on foreign countries for 60% of critical minerals. He warned that the country could become increasingly vulnerable if it does not control the global distribution of these materials.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Asked about sourcing the remaining 70% of UK's critical minerals, he suggested ensuring production increase from countries other than China. He highlighted the importance of diverse sources for national security and economic stability.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Inquired about potential use of £250 million defence growth deal funds to support tungsten mining in Devon, which is home to the world's largest deposits of this critical mineral.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Acknowledged widespread concern over deep-sea mining impact on marine ecosystems. Requested a commitment from the Minister for a moratorium on exploitation while allowing exploration, with environmental considerations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Welcomed the strategy and praised Queen's University Belfast's role in magnet-recycling technologies. He asked about steps taken to ensure collaboration with devolved Governments for extraction projects support.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Welcomed the strategy but highlighted that polyhalite, a critical mineral from Teesside, should have been included. He inquired about how the strategy will benefit Teesside's supply chain.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
Highlights the importance of domestic critical mineral production for national defence and security.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Welcomes the strategy to tackle China's dominance in critical minerals, emphasising its link with clean energy and defence capabilities. Criticises Reform party's leader for accepting bribes from foreign governments.
Wolverhampton North East
Asks how the strategy will ensure UK businesses benefit while securing resilient supply chains, mentioning Wolverhampton North East's Recyclus Group and its state-of-the-art plant for recycling lithium-ion batteries.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Welcomes the strategy and asks for assurance that it will benefit areas like Teesside and Hartlepool, which have built the UK. Mentions projects for lithium recycling in Teesside.
Graham Stringer
Lab
Blackley and Middleton South
Questions the feasibility of securing supply lines as required by the strategy and raises concerns about the magnitude problem in copper mining, suggesting that all of our copper is currently extracted and taken overseas for smelting.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Highlights the importance of ceramics in high-temperature processes and asks about conversations with British Ceramics to improve competitiveness, mentions gas prices as a potential challenge for the strategy.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Asks how UK businesses, including Mantec in her constituency, can benefit from the strategy through public finance offers such as the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Welcomes the prominence given to County Durham in the strategy and asks for support in extracting lithium. Mentions an opportunity for developing battery manufacturing in County Durham.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Confirms that polyhalite, a rare mineral used as super-fertiliser, is eligible for support under the new strategy and mentions Woodsmith mine near Whitby.
Government Response
Government strategy aims to increase diversity of supply both domestically and internationally. The British industrial competitiveness scheme will reduce electricity costs for industry by £40 per MWh. Government is putting real money behind the strategy with an additional £50 million, bringing total funding to £200 million. The Minister clarified that UK production targets include both primary sources and recycling to achieve 30% by 2035, addressing environmental concerns through high standards. He also mentioned international collaborations such as AUKUS for procurement reforms, emphasised the role of critical minerals in various industries including oil and gas, and committed to exploring deep-sea mining's ecological impact. Agrees with the importance of domestic critical mineral production. Mentions investments in nuclear power, small modular reactors, and projects for lithium recycling. Discusses copper as a growth mineral and mentions opportunities for ceramic refractories. Emphasises funding via British Business Bank, National Wealth Fund, Innovate UK grants. Welcomes conversations on industrial collaboration between Cornwall and County Durham.
Shadow Response
Dame Harriett Baldwin
Shadow Response
The shadow minister raises concerns about China's dominance in the critical minerals market and questions the Government’s assessment. She points out inconsistencies, spelling mistakes, and incorrect statistics within the strategy document. The criticism extends to high energy prices and North Sea closures impacting production. Additionally, she highlights declining foreign direct investment and potential tax rises that could harm industry growth.
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