Blair McDougall, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Reindustrialisation, has heard the Chemical Business Association call for closer collaboration between Government and industry to support the reindustrialisation of Britain.
The call came during the Association’s Parliamentary Reception at the Palace of Westminster on 8 September, sponsored by MP Julia Buckley. McDougall attended and spoke about the importance of the chemical sector to the Government’s reindustrialisation agenda and the need for Government and industry to work together.
Three letters to Number 10
Following the reception, a CBA delegation delivered three letters to Number 10 setting out practical priorities, with support from businesses, trade associations, academia and other organisations across the sector.
The letters focus on recognising the strategic importance of chemicals and developing a long-term UK chemicals strategy; supporting skills through the CBA’s Generation STEAM initiative; and delivering a workable future for UK REACH that maintains high standards without compromising access, innovation or competitiveness.
Doggett: ambition needs delivery
CBA chief executive Tim Doggett said:
“There is a real opportunity to reindustrialise Britain, grow the economy and build a stronger, more resilient country. But ambition needs to be matched by delivery.”
He said it was encouraging to hear the Minister clearly recognise the critical importance of the sector:
“That collaboration is essential if we are going to turn the ambition for reindustrialisation into something tangible. The reality is that Britain cannot be reindustrialised without chemicals. More than 96% of manufactured goods depend on chemical inputs.”
Doggett noted that the sector directly employs more than 150,000 people, supports more than half a million jobs across the wider supply chain, generates over £70 billion in annual turnover and is the UK’s second-largest manufacturing exporter by value.
He concluded:
“The opportunity to reindustrialise Britain is real. The chemical sector is ready to play its part. Now we need to turn ambition into action.”
