Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 7, The UK’s Mineral Products Association (MPA) has cautioned that the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes and deliver major infrastructure investments could face delays unless immediate measures are taken to strengthen the domestic cement industry. The warning was issued during a Parliamentary event attended by industry leaders, ministers, and Members of Parliament, including Minister for Industry Chris McDonald MP and Jon Pearce MP for High Peak, Derbyshire.

The MPA described cement as a “foundation industry” that supports economic growth, material security, and the UK’s pathway to net zero emissions. However, domestic producers are reportedly facing increasing pressure from uneven carbon regulations, high energy costs, and a rise in imports. The association noted that these challenges risk “exporting jobs, investment and emissions overseas” if not properly addressed.

To ensure the sustainability of domestic production, the MPA urged the government to implement public procurement policies that give priority to cement produced in the UK. It stated that such measures would help ensure Labour’s planned investments in housing and infrastructure “deliver wider economic growth” while maintaining control over the environmental footprint of materials used in construction.

The MPA emphasized that cement manufacturing supports thousands of skilled jobs throughout the country, particularly in rural and industrial areas. The wider mineral products sector employs more than 80,000 people and remains one of the most productive in the UK, with each worker generating about two and a half times the national average in value.

In its recommendations, the association called for the introduction of a strong Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to ensure that imported cement is subject to the same carbon costs as that produced domestically. It also requested government action to address high electricity and labour costs, which it said are “placing UK cement producers at a growing disadvantage.”

The MPA further highlighted the importance of accelerating support for Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) technologies, pointing out that the UK cement sector has already achieved a 63 per cent reduction in carbon emissions since 1990.

Dr Diana Casey, Executive Director for Cement and Lime at the MPA, said: “The Government has called for a national effort to build, but questions remain over whether we have the materials security to deliver it… Without a level playing field, we risk undermining one of the UK’s most strategically important manufacturing sectors and leaving Labour’s housing and infrastructure targets hanging in the balance.”

She added: “With the right policy framework, including a fair and robust CBAM, competitive energy pricing, and targeted support for CCUS, we can secure the UK cement sector for the long term. That means protecting high-value jobs, strengthening regional economies, and ensuring that every tonne of cement used to build Britain’s future also supports Britain’s industry and climate ambitions.”