Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Critical Minerals

Thursday 23 March 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK published a "Critical Minerals Refresh" to enhance supply chain security and international collaboration.
  • Department is supporting Cornish lithium and geothermal projects through specific funds to build a zero-carbon lithium extraction plant.
  • Minister meets the steel sector and unions regularly, including through the all-party parliamentary group for steel and metal related industries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about measures to ensure the security and growth of UK capabilities in critical mineral supply chains.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help protect critical minerals supply chains. We are moving towards a world powered by critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and graphite for electric cars and silicon and tin for electronics. What measures are being taken?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

We published our “Critical Minerals Refresh,” which will accelerate UK capabilities, collaborate with international partners, and enhance international markets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or commitments to protect critical minerals supply chains.

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Energy Environment
Context

The MP inquires about efforts by the Department to leverage Cornwall's mining heritage for home-grown mineral security.

Question

What efforts is the Department making to ensure that we make the most of our home-grown mineral security? This includes backing Cornish lithium and geothermal engineering through the Getting Building fund and automotive transformation fund, which are collaborating to build a zero-carbon lithium extraction plant in Cornwall. I very much look forward to visiting it.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

The Department is backing Cornish lithium and geothermal engineering through the Getting Building fund and automotive transformation fund, collaborating to build a zero-carbon lithium extraction plant in Cornwall.

Answered
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Q3 Darren Jones Lab Bristol North West
Business & Trade
Context

The MP asks about the status and activities of the Steel Council within the Department, including regular meetings with stakeholders.

Question

Will she confirm for the House the status of the Steel Council in her Department and whether it is actively meeting? I served with the hon. Gentleman on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee for many years. He will be very familiar with the fact that I meet the steel sector and the unions, including regular meetings with the all-party parliamentary group for steel and metal related industries.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I meet the steel sector and the unions regularly, including those in the all-party parliamentary group for steel and metal related industries. The meetings are definitely taking place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not confirm the status of the Steel Council but acknowledges regular meetings with stakeholders.

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Q4 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Business & Trade
Context

The MP inquires about the integration of the critical minerals strategy with the UK's broader trade policies, given projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility indicating a decline in exports.

Question

How does she propose to integrate her critical minerals strategy with our wider trade policy? How much will that 6.6% fall in exports cost the UK economy in cash terms? I only recently published the critical minerals refresh and I was expecting some sort of positive response, given how it is integrated internationally; it deals with the threats of China and works with the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 in the United States.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

The critical minerals refresh is integrated internationally, dealing with threats from China and working with the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 in the US. UK exports to Europe amounted to £386.9 billion in the four quarters to the end of 2022, an increase of 25%. I believe that is an increase, not a decrease.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific integration details or cost estimates for export declines.

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