The Department for Business and Trade has launched the Government’s new Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, aimed at safeguarding UK supplies of critical goods such as chemicals, medicines, minerals and semiconductors.

The strategy is intended to protect Imports of critical goods for the NHS and UK manufacturing from global supply chain shocks.

Cutting-edge research will be used to map the impacts of shocks on supply chains, such as those caused by the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine and understand how the UK can secure the goods it needs in future.

In response to increased geopolitical disruption, and the unprecedented challenges of recent years, like the Covid pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and environmental disasters, the UK government and businesses have boosted their ability to manage supply chain shocks. The strategy builds on this and will further equip UK businesses to deal with global supply chain problems and access the imports they need which are essential to the functioning of the UK.

More than 100 top UK firms, including pharmaceutical and manufacturing leaders like The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Green Lithium have contributed to the strategy to ensure it helps develop resilient and secure supply chains that protect both their business and the consumers who rely on them.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani launched the Strategy yesterday during a visit to Heathrow Airport, the largest import hub in the UK which handled more than £86 billion of UK imports in 2022.

Nusrat Ghani said:

“There are many unpredictable events that can threaten our access to vital goods, from the pandemic, Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, and the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea. That’s why we’re taking action to ensure crucial imports like medicines can reach consumers, no matter what happens around the world.

“With this strategy we’re equipping business so they no longer have to rely on unpredictable partners for supplies of the goods that keep our country going. By making supply chains stronger we’re helping make the UK a truly safe and reliable place to do business.”

The Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy will enable government to share information and guidance with businesses on the risks to key supply chains and the practical steps they can take to protect themselves from disruption, including regular updates on emerging supply chain risks, such as new export bans on critical everyday goods imposed by other countries.

As part of the strategy, the government will set up a new online portal to allow businesses to quickly report red tape or disruption affecting their critical imports. The government will then work to remove these barriers wherever possible, saving business time and money.

It will also pursue further trade deals to help UK importers access the critical goods they need efficiently and affordably.

The government will also set up a new Critical Imports Council that will allow businesses and government to work together to identify risks to critical imports and develop a plan of action – ensuring that business have a central voice in shaping government’s work to build supply chain resilience.

UK’s leading chemical supply association welcomes new government strategy

The Chemical Business Association (CBA), the voice of the UK chemical supply chain, has welcomed the introduction of the new Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy.

CBA CEO, Tim Doggett, who was present at the launch event said:

“Over 97% of all manufactured goods contain a chemical input, so we are delighted to see Government recognising the critical importance of the chemical supply chain.”

“As the voice of the UK chemical supply chain, the CBA works closely with Government, ministers, senior members of parliament, chemical supply chain peers and wider industry-at-large. This week’s announcement will only drive us to continue our advocacy and further our desire to ensure the chemical supply chain remains a prominent topic of conversation.”

“The CBA is highly proactive both in the UK and worldwide, advocating for and contributing to initiatives, strategies and partnerships that aim to innovate, reinforce and promote the UK’s chemical supply chain in what is a truly global market.”