MPA welcomes Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy
Mineral Products Association issues positive response to Government’s £725 billion plan
THE Government’s £725 billion plan to modernize public assets, decarbonize infrastructure, and boost housing, transport, health, and justice has been welcomed by the Mineral Products Association (MPA).
Representing suppliers of UK-produced aggregates, concrete, cement, asphalt and industrial minerals, the MPA has responded positively to the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, just days after the Government revealed plans to reform infrastructure procurement to support domestic industries and jobs in the supply chain.
Businesses in the UK mineral products sector rely on policies that give them the confidence to make long-term investments in people and skills, equipment, and production sites to serve the construction industry. In its response to the consultation on the Infrastructure Strategy, the MPA called for a clear level of commitment and an end to the cycle of announcing ambitions only to scale them back through delay, descoping, or even cancellation.
The MPA has long pushed for significant improvements to the infrastructure pipeline, and says yesterday’s announcement is promising, subject to further details. A clear project pipeline with an analysis of material needs is essential to ensure that the UK has an adequate supply of construction materials over the medium and long term.
Chris Leese, MPA executive chair, said: ‘Announcing a strategy is a good start but delivery is what matters. We welcome the Government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure, especially the prospect of supporting British jobs, including the 80,000 people in our sector who are dedicated to meeting the country’s demand for mineral products.
‘Last week the Chancellor said ‘where things are made, and who makes them, matters’ and this must apply to the entire supply chain for infrastructure. So we look forward to seeing the Government put into action its proposals to prioritize British jobs and boost skills when awarding contracts for the £725 billion worth of infrastructure announced today.’
The Government’s announcement on reforming public sector procurement to favour the domestic supply chain has been particularly welcomed by cement producers. The UK’s cement industry is one of the most vulnerable to carbon leakage and is already facing high industrial energy costs among other challenges, so encouraging domestic procurement will be invaluable.
Diana Casey, executive director for cement at the MPA, said: ‘The Government has made an important first step, but what’s missing is a proper focus on the supply chain to make these infrastructure projects a reality. Cement is especially vital and without a stable supply, ambitions to deliver major infrastructure like Sizewell C as well as roads, railways, airports, water, energy, digital, and housing infrastructure, simply won’t happen.
‘The UK’s cement industry is at risk of disappearing. Imports have tripled in the last 20 years due to high industrial energy costs and uneven carbon taxation policies that make it harder for UK producers to compete. Backing domestic production with a public procurement policy that puts a preference on UK-made materials will boost the economy, retain well-paid regional jobs, and ultimately help the Government deliver on its infrastructure promises.’
Robert McIlveen, the MPA’s senior director of communications and public affairs, added: ‘The new online infrastructure pipeline platform should help to address our long-standing ask for government to analyse construction material requirements and make the data available well in advance of project starts. In turn, this will help to give our members the confidence to make the investments needed to support infrastructure ambitions, and also provide mineral planning authorities with the strategic information required to ensure a steady and adequate supply of essential minerals. We look forward to scrutinizing the detail of the pipeline proposals when they are published.’
