Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government has had any discussions with relevant stakeholders on the potential role of Cornwall as a lithium hub for the UK.

As part of development of the Critical Minerals Strategy, and working alongside the Department of International Trade, BEIS has identified the important role Cornwall can play in lithium extraction for the UK.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have visited Cornish Lithium and British Lithium, who are looking to expand activities around lithium within Cornwall.

Cornish Lithium received investment for the construction of Europe’s first geothermal lithium recovery pilot plant at a location near Redruth, through the Government's Getting Building Fund.

British Lithium Ltd, based in St Austell, is one of the first companies in the world to progress commercial extraction of lithium carbonate from the mica in granite. They have been awarded more than £2.9m from the Government’s Sustainable Innovation Fund.