From the Guardian · · 1m 40s
UK dangerously reliant on China for critical minerals
MPs warn Britain cannot rebuild its military, develop AI or reach net zero without securing supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals dominated by Beijing.
In brief
MPs warn Britain cannot rebuild its military, develop AI or reach net zero without securing supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals dominated by Beijing. A parliamentary investigation found the UK is dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals needed for defence, AI and renewable energy, and…
China controls the world's minerals
China has a stranglehold on the world's supply of rare earths and other critical minerals, as well as their refined byproducts used in military jets, washing machines and consumer products.
UK dangerously dependent, MPs find
The business select committee found the UK is dangerously dependent on China for critical raw materials needed for the military, renewable energy infrastructure and AI.
Liam Byrne: we cannot rearm without them
Committee chair Liam Byrne said: "We cannot rearm Britain, build AI or deliver net zero unless we secure the minerals these technologies depend on."
“We cannot rearm Britain, build AI or deliver net zero unless we secure the minerals these technologies depend on.”
Demand for lithium to surge 45-fold
Demand for lithium alone would increase 45-fold between now and 2030, leaving the UK in a high-risk dependency relationship with China for electric vehicle batteries.
Rare earths demand to rise 16-fold
Demand for rare earths needed for permanent magnets in military jets would rise 16-fold by 2030 as Britain seeks to rebuild its military capabilities.
China cut supplies in 2025
China demonstrated its power by cutting rare earth supplies in 2025, showing that a dependency on Beijing is a strategic vulnerability for the UK economy and national security.
MPs demand 10-point plan from government
The committee drew up a 10-point plan including identifying domestic mining opportunities, reducing procurement from China, unlocking investment and assessing planning barriers to mining.
Here's the gist
A parliamentary investigation found the UK is dangerously dependent on China for critical minerals needed for defence, AI and renewable energy, and called for urgent centralised policy and funding.
