ALFED Member Update: A New Industrial Strategy for the UK – What it Means for Aluminium

The UK Government’s publication of its first Industrial Strategy in over a decade marks a long-awaited and meaningful step toward reshaping British manufacturing, boosting energy competitiveness, and restoring sovereign industrial capability.

From the outset, the lack of explicit reference to aluminium within the strategy is disappointing. The word “metal” is mentioned only once across the entire policy paper, which is striking given the foundational role aluminium plays in clean energy, low-carbon transport, defence, aerospace, and construction. As ever, our sector remains underrepresented in policymaking narratives, and that must change.

Yet there are genuine positives to build on. The announcement of the British Industry Supercharger expansion, increasing relief on electricity network charges from 60% to 90%, reflects the very advocacy ALFED has pursued for years. This relief is essential for aluminium producers and processors, where energy costs are among the most significant global competitiveness barriers.

“Energy competitiveness is a defining issue for the aluminium sector. Without decisive support, producers and processors across the UK risk becoming globally unviable. The Supercharger expansion is a major step forward, but we now need urgent clarity on who qualifies, how SMEs can benefit, and how this aligns with future emissions reporting obligations.”

— Nadine Bloxsome, CEO, ALFED

However, two major areas of uncertainty remain:

Eligibility Criteria: It is not yet clear whether smaller aluminium producers and downstream processors, many of whom fall under SME definitions, will fully benefit from the Supercharger and related relief schemes. These businesses play a critical role in the national value chain and must not be excluded.
Implementation Clarity: ALFED is seeking detailed guidance on how the relief measures will be applied, including how regional energy network operators and grid suppliers will implement reductions in practice and whether timelines will align with member needs.