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UK Trade with EU: Aluminium

Asked by Tessa MuntLiberal DemocratDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 13 April 2026UIN 123629

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact the European Commission’s plan to introduce new EU export trade measures on the UK’s aluminium recycling industry; and if he is seeking an exemption from those new regulations.

Answered by Chris McDonald

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a formal assessment of the potential impact of these EU measures on the UK's aluminium recycling industry. We are closely monitoring this through ongoing industry engagement and expect to consider this further through the Business Secretary’s Industry Engagement Forum and the scrap metal working group announced in the Steel Strategy, which will also cover aluminium.

The EU is not currently enforcing aluminium export restrictions. The proposed new measures focus on restricting the export of aluminium scrap, rather than primary aluminium, with the aim of supporting domestic industry, decarbonisation, and circular‑economy objectives.

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