Policy paper

UK critical imports and supply chains strategy

UK’s first critical imports and supply chain strategy aims to build resilient supply chains and safeguard critical imports

Documents

Details

The events of recent years have severely disrupted the global supply chains which we rely on for our critical imports. In a rapidly changing world the UK needs to adapt to these challenges and seize opportunities to ensure the reliable flow of vital goods that underpin our prosperity.

The critical import and supply chain strategy helps UK businesses build secure and reliable supply chains, which are vital to:

  • the UK’s economic prosperity
  • national security
  • the delivery of our essential services

The strategy sets out how government will work with business and international partners across 5 priorities:

  1. Making the UK government a centre of excellence for supply chain analysis and risk assessment.
  2. Removing critical import barriers to support the UK’s business-friendly environment.
  3. Building the UK’s response to global supply chain shocks.
  4. Ensuring the UK can adapt to long-term trends.
  5. Expanding collaboration between government, business and academia.

The strategy is the first of its kind and builds on the integrated review refreshadvanced manufacturing plan and the recent semiconductorsbatteries and critical minerals strategies.

Published 17 January 2024