As vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for critical minerals, Alexander Stafford raised concerns about the lack of attention given to critical minerals in UK policy. He emphasised that these minerals are vital for low-carbon industries but face supply chain vulnerability. Without securing a reliable supply of such minerals, the UK risks economic instability and security threats from global shortages and unreliable suppliers like China and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Stafford highlighted examples such as mobile phones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels that rely heavily on critical minerals. He argued for a two-pronged approach: relocating parts of the supply chain to the UK and forming a Five Eyes alliance to secure stable mineral supplies from partner nations. Stafford also requested Government support for upstream mining capability, midstream development, international collaboration, university programmes focused on critical minerals, and early release of a critical minerals strategy.