STORY
The Government has announced £50 million of investment to support critical minerals projects across the UK. The Department for Business and Trade said the funding would strengthen domestic production, support high-value jobs and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.
The programme is intended to support extraction, processing and recycling of minerals used in products including smartphones, fridges and electric vehicle batteries. Industry Minister Chris McDonald is launching the programme during a visit to Teesside’s Wilton Centre, including firms working on minerals processing and metal recycling.
The Government said the investment builds on more than £200 million already committed to critical minerals projects. Ministers have presented the policy as part of a wider economic security agenda, arguing that stronger domestic capability will help protect the UK from global shocks and supply disruption.