CPA expresses strong support for government’s newly launched 10 year industrial strategy

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighted his government’s 10-year industrial strategy as a turning point for the British economy, delivering long-term certainty for business through significant public investment across eight high-growth sectors – including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and defence – underpinned by an £86bn R&D package.

Central to its vision is addressing industrial energy costs: more than 7,000 manufacturing firms will be exempted from green levies, and network charge rebates for energy-intensive industries will be significantly increased.

The Construction Products Association (CPA), representing the UK’s £68.6bn construction products manufacturing sector, welcomed the clarity and ambition shown. It emphasised the critical importance of aligning implementation with the needs of industries like construction products manufacturing, which accounts for 11% of total UK manufacturing output and employs over 407,900 people.

Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the CPA, said: “We welcome the renewed commitment to a long-term industrial strategy. The strategy must not only be ambitious – it must be consistent, clear, and rooted in real engagement with industry. Delivery is everything, and we look forward to working with government to make this vision a reality.”

The CPA particularly appreciates the proposed consultation on industrial electricity pricing and plans to increase rebates for eligible manufacturers between 60-90%. These measures could significantly improve competitiveness for UK-based producers, provided they’re rolled out effectively and equitably across sectors, says the company.

It adds: “While the strategy highlights sectors such as advanced manufacturing and clean energy, the CPA strongly agrees with the government’s recognition of construction manufacturing as a foundation sector – underpinning the delivery of national priorities on infrastructure, decarbonisation, housing and economic growth.

The CPA emphasised this acknowledgment must now be matched by full and consistent inclusion of construction products manufacturing in the strategy’s delivery frameworks, investment planning and cross-sector coordination.”

The 10-year horizon also aligns with the CPA’s calls for long-term stability in policy-making. In the past, industrial strategies have too often faltered owing to fragmented implementation, frequent policy shifts and a lack of follow-through.

The CPA urges government to ensure this strategy is backed by strong governance, defined timelines, and meaningful collaboration with industry, says the company.

UK construction-products manufacturing contributes about 10% of national manufacturing output (£68bn), supports over 407,900 jobs and includes 27,553 companies.

The key elements of the new industrial strategy are a 10 year plan targeting eight growth sectors, £86 billion R&D investment, infrastructure funding, skills development and energy-cost reforms.
www.constructionproducts.org.uk