IOM3 calls on Chancellor to put materials at the heart of the 2026 Autumn Budget
The Autumn Budget must support the materials and minerals capability that underpins every national priority, says IOM3.
IOM3 has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling on the Government to recognise the critical role of materials in delivering its ambitions for economic growth, housebuilding, defence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Construction supports around 2.3 million workforce jobs across the UK. Advanced manufacturing contributes more than £82 billion in GVA annually and directly supports around 760,000 jobs. The UK’s materials innovation sector contributes £45 billion in GVA to the UK’s economy and employs 635,000 people.
Ahead of the 2026 Autumn Budget, IOM3 is calling on Government to:
- SECURE MATERIALS through a UK Materials Strategy
- BUILD RESILIENCE by accelerating the Circular Economy transition
- DEVELOP SKILLS through investment in the workforce needed to deliver the UK’s growth ambitions
Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM, CEO of IOM3, said:
'The Government's ambition to build 1.5 million homes, strengthen national defence, expand clean energy infrastructure and grow advanced manufacturing depends on one critical capability: materials.
Construction supports around 2.3 million workforce jobs across the UK, while advanced manufacturing contributes more than £82 billion gross value added annually to the economy. Both depend on secure access to materials, minerals and specialist skills.
If the Government wants to build a stronger, more resilient and more competitive economy, the Autumn Budget must support the materials and minerals capability that underpins every national priority.'
Read our case for putting materials at the heart of the Autumn Budget
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