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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the growth of UK-based green industries and the resultant need for high levels of critical mineral supplies.

The Government fully understands the value of critical minerals to green industries and a whole range of other advanced manufacturing sectors in the UK. We understand that security of supply is fundamental; industry needs to have confidence that it can access the raw resources it needs, particularly if it is to move into new, low-carbon markets and help the UK to become a net zero nation by 2050.

The Government’s strategy for securing access to critical minerals, or any other key materials and components, has long been to vigorously secure, at a global level, free, fair and open international trade. This approach has remained successful for many decades and the Government remains confident that this remains the most effective approach going forward. However, we will continue to monitor the supply of these minerals closely.