House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The UK’s 2025 Critical Minerals Strategy
24 November 2025 · Department for Business and Trade
Proposed by Chris McDonald Lab Stockton North
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The UK published its Critical Minerals Strategy for 2025, aiming to boost economic growth through domestic production and recycling.
- The government plans to use procurement mechanisms to stockpile critical minerals for defence sector resilience.
- Up to 50 million from the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance will be allocated for critical mineral projects.
Issue summary
The statement discusses the publication of the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy for 2025, focusing on economic growth through domestic production and recycling of critical minerals.
Action requested
The government will consider mechanisms to build resilience in the defence sector by stockpiling critical mineral resources through procurement mechanisms. The strategy also includes up to £50 million from the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance for critical mineral projects, with more details to be announced in 2026.
Key facts
- The UK has Europe's largest lithium deposit in Cornwall.
- The UK has one of the largest nickel refineries in Europe in Clydach, Swansea.
- The UK is a global source of tungsten and the only Western source for rare earth alloys used in wind turbines and F-35 fighter jets.
- Up to £50 million will be available from the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance for critical mineral projects.