UK Cement Industry Plans Whitehall Protest Over Import Concerns

British cement manufacturers are planning a protest in Westminster next month, citing concerns that high energy costs and a lack of government protection are leaving the sector vulnerable to being undercut by cheap imports. Breedon Group, one of the UK's largest cement producers, is organizing a demonstration for July 27, which will feature a tanker bearing the slogan 'Back British Cement' arriving in Westminster.

The action is intended to draw government attention to the challenges faced by domestic producers. Cement bosses argue that recent policy changes in the United States and the European Union have effectively blocked cheap imports in those regions, leaving the UK as an open market. This situation, they contend, makes it difficult for British companies to compete.

Rob Wood, CEO of Breedon, emphasized the importance of a robust domestic cement industry for the UK's economic security and growth. He stated that for the government to achieve its ambitions, it must ensure that British cement producers can operate on a level playing field. The material is considered vital for various sectors, including housebuilding, infrastructure, and defense construction, similar to the strategic importance of steel.

The protest aims to mirror the impact of recent demonstrations by farmers, who used tractors to protest changes to inheritance tax. Cement industry leaders are warning that without adequate protection, domestic firms could be "buried" by a wave of lower-cost imported cement, impacting the UK's industrial base.