Over-reliance on China could disrupt the UK's clean energy supply chains, threatening 90,000 jobs. A left-leaning thinktank, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), warns that a year-long disruption to the supply of essential battery components for electric vehicles could lead to the loss of 90,000 jobs and the production of over 580,000 fewer electric cars. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the UK's over-reliance on China for refining critical minerals, with 80-90% of global refining controlled by China. The IPPR's report highlights the risks associated with this dependency, emphasizing the need for a policy of "securonomics" through international investment and partnership. The UK's economy is highly dependent on trade, and the current geopolitical landscape, including the halt of Russian gas supplies and escalating global trade tensions, further underscores the importance of diversifying supply chains. The report calls on the government to clarify its stance on Chinese investment in clean energy supply chains and to invest in domestic production of batteries and green steel. Additionally, the government should work with allies to build international stockpiles of solar components, batteries, and critical minerals to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions. This proactive approach is crucial to safeguarding the UK's clean energy goals and economic stability.
