The strategy aims to boost supply chain resilience of critical goods.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee

On 17 January 2024, the government launched the Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy (the strategy), which aims to safeguard UK supplies of goods including medicine, minerals, and semiconductors.

The strategy forms part of a wider government initiative to back businesses and grow the UK economy by helping companies build resilient supply chains and maintain supplies of critical goods and raw materials.

The strategy notes that recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change have highlighted vulnerabilities of the UK’s essential supply chains. The strategy thus focuses on ensuring reliable access to critical imports for present and future needs.