en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UK government has unveiled a £470 million industrial support package to strengthen the country's critical industrial sectors, aiming to protect thousands of jobs and enhance long-term economic resilience.

The package includes a £350 million Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund, specifically targeting producers of strategically important chemicals, and a £120 million support programme for the ceramics industry. Ministers stated that these sectors are vital to infrastructure, supply chains, and national security.

The funding is intended to help businesses modernise, reduce emissions, move away from reliance on natural gas, and remain competitive amid global pressures and rising energy costs.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said that in times of global uncertainty, securing the UK's resilience and supporting the industries the nation depends on is more important than ever. This funding will support thousands of jobs and put businesses on a firm footing for the long term. He stressed that this is what it means to act as a strategic state: moving quickly with targeted, national-interest support to provide certainty for industries vital to daily life and the future of the economy.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves stated that the chemicals and ceramics industries underpin economic resilience and support skilled jobs across the UK. She believes the right economic plan involves long-term support for workers, for the communities that depend on these industries, and for British industry.

The £350 million Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund is aimed at producers supplying essential materials to critical sectors such as food, energy, water, and healthcare. The government said the fund will strengthen supply chains, improve competitiveness, and support decarbonisation, while also working with the industry to reduce regulatory costs and tackle unfair trading practices. Ministers also plan to convene industry leaders to explore possible trade defence measures, while simplifying rules and reducing the compliance burden on businesses.

Steve Elliott, Chief Executive of the Chemical Industries Association, welcomed the establishment of the fund. He noted that the government identified the chemicals sector in its Industrial Strategy as a key national foundational industry, and today's announcement of a £350 million fund to support chemical businesses that form part of the nation's critical infrastructure and wider resilience is a very welcome first step in turning those words into action. He also stated that significant work remains on policy and funding support to address the sector's energy, carbon reduction, and wider regulatory costs, and that the government's additional commitment to work with the industry to tackle these huge competitiveness challenges is encouraging.

A separate £120 million ceramics support programme will be used to support energy efficiency upgrades, decarbonisation projects, and operating costs for eligible manufacturers, covering sub-sectors including refractories, construction materials, tableware, and advanced technical ceramics. The sector, crucial to industries such as housing, defence, aerospace, and medical technology, is expected to benefit from targeted investments aimed at modernising production and securing long-term viability.

Rob Flello, Chief Executive of Ceramics UK, said the association is delighted with this landmark decision by the government, which recognises the sector's foundational role in the UK economy. He stated that ceramics are vital to the UK economy, including for manufacturing key products like steel, glass, and other high-temperature products, as well as everyday items used by UK homes and businesses. As the voice of the industry, Ceramics UK will work with its members and looks forward to working closely with ministers and civil servants to design and implement the measures outlined in the Business Secretary's statement of intent. Their priority is to ensure the programme works for all Ceramics UK members, from the smallest ceramics companies to the largest organisations, creating a sustainable future for the sector.

GMB National Secretary Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said GMB has been calling on the government to increase support for energy-intensive industries. She believes this is a very welcome step in the right direction and will reassure workers in the chemicals and ceramics industries that the government is finally listening.

These measures form part of a broader industrial strategy focused on long-term economic stability. Ministers indicated that further interventions may be forthcoming.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com