MPs Unite with Industry to Launch ‘Back British Metals’ Parliamentary Pledge

Back British Metals

Leaders from across the UK metals industry gathered at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday  20th May to formally launch the Back British Metals Parliamentary Pledge, hosted by Chris  McDonald MP in the Jubilee Room. The event brought together over 30 senior  representatives from aluminium, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals (PGMs), steel and  cast metals – signalling a powerful cross-sector call for smarter, joined-up industrial policy. 

The Pledge, signed by all MPs in attendance including Sarah Coombes MP (West Bromwich) and Gurinder Singh CBE MP (Smethwick), recognises the UK metals sector as vital to clean  energy, defence, manufacturing, and economic resilience. 

The event featured representatives from across the full value chain including: The Copper Mark, Bridgnorth Aluminium, Novelis UK Inc, Amari Metals Ltd, Arconic,  Unimetals Recycling UK, BACALL, and Drakewood Capital Management – alongside  industry groups and Trade Associations. 

What is Back British Metals

Back British Metals is a cross-sector coalition created to champion the UK’s metals  industries as critical enablers of the nation’s future prosperity. The campaign is led by six  founding organisations: 

Aluminium Federation (ALFED) 

International Wrought Copper Council (IWCC) 

Cobalt Institute 

Cast Metals Federation (CMF) 

Johnson Matthey Plc (representing PGMs) 

CONETZ (Connecting for Net Zero) 

Together, they are calling on Government to ensure that the UK’s Industrial Strategy and  Critical Minerals Strategy reflect the full value of metals to the UK economy – from mining  and primary production to downstream processing and recycling. 

The campaign is built around three policy asks: 

1. Recognise metals and foundation industries as enablers of all eight growth sectors  in the Industrial Strategy. 

2. Support a full value chain approach across both Industrial and Critical Minerals  strategies – from mining and processing to manufacturing and recycling. 3. Ensure the Critical Minerals Strategy recognises key materials like aluminium,  copper, steel, PGMs and cobalt – not just rare earths.

“You can’t build the future without metals” 

In his opening remarks, Chris McDonald MP praised the coalition for bringing together a  sector too often overlooked: 

“An industrial strategy that leaves out metals is nonsensical. From infrastructure to  electrification, metals are the foundation of every modern economy. You can take metals out  of the strategy, but you can’t take the strategy out of metals.” 

Mike Smith, campaign co-founder explained the broader ambition behind the initiative: 

“Back British Metals is not just about one material – it’s about a national opportunity. This  sector spans every region, every supply chain, and every future technology. The UK must  recognise its metals capability as strategic, investable, and world-class.” 

He added: 

“We’re not here to talk about decline. We’re here to talk about growth and to give  policymakers a practical route to back British industry with confidence.” 

Voices from Parliament and Industry 

Sarah Coombes MP reinforced the message that metals remain vital to regional prosperity: 

“Thousands of jobs in West Bromwich depend on these industries and on the government  having a serious plan to support them. We have the skills, the technology, and the ambition.  We now need the strategic backing.” 

Reflecting on the launch, Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of ALFED, said: 

“This was a landmark moment for the UK metals industry. What stood out was the unity  across aluminium, copper, PGMs, castings, and beyond – all speaking with one voice. This  isn’t just about individual materials. It’s about recognising that without a strong domestic  metals sector, we cannot deliver on net zero, defence, or industrial growth.” 

“We’re proud to be part of this campaign. It’s time for Government to act and Back British  Metals.” 

For more information please contact: 

www.backbritishmetals.org


Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News

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