All Economics articles
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NewsChemical industry welcomes Jackdaw decision as vital step towards strengthening UK energy security
The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) has welcomed the UK Government’s decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the UK’s energy security and supporting the competitiveness of energy-intensive manufacturing. With high industrial energy costs continuing to place pressure on domestic production and investment, the Association says the decision highlights the need for a broader industrial energy strategy that ensures reliable and affordable supplies while supporting the long-term resilience, growth and decarbonisation of the UK chemical sector.
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NewsQ3 2026 CIA Business Survey: Factories under pressure, UK chemical industry warns of deepening manufacturing decline
The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) highlights the growing pressures facing a strategically important foundation industry, as rising energy costs, weakening demand and mounting investment challenges continue to undermine UK competitiveness. With chemical production forecast to decline further and almost half of businesses reporting cuts to production or operating activity during the third quarter, the results raise fresh concerns about the UK’s ability to attract investment, support industrial growth and deliver its reindustrialisation ambitions.
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NewsQ2 2026 CIA Business Survey: “Reindustrialisation” can’t come quickly enough
The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) highlights a sector still under severe strain, with persistently high UK energy costs and widening policy‑driven disadvantages delaying or derailing vital investment. Despite signs of demand recovery, chemical businesses face a year‑long trade deficit and mounting competitive pressure, deepening concerns ...
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NewsQ1 2026 CIA Business Survey: Dramatic change of policy direction needed to save Britain’s chemical industry
The latest business survey from the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) exposes a sector facing unprecedented pressure, with soaring energy, raw material and trade‑related costs pushing many UK chemical businesses to the brink. Already contending with long‑standing competitive disadvantages at home, the industry is now being hit by global instability and ...
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NewsQ4 2025 CIA Business Survey: UK chemical sector faces further factory closures
Figures released by the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) show a sector under mounting strain, with the latest business survey pointing to continued weak demand, falling employment and the growing likelihood of further site closures. The findings underline the deep challenges facing the UK’s chemical industry as it enters ...
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NewsChemical industry warns current cost of energy is barring the way to Net Zero
Latest CIA Business Survey reports energy costs reaching 400% higher than in the United States and 150% above the European Union — leaving UK businesses paying 200% more than they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NewsThe Chemical Industries Association reacts to the Chancellor’s 2024 Budget
The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) has welcomed key elements of the Chancellor’s 2024 Budget, recognising positive developments for the chemical sector in areas such as industrial strategy, net zero growth, investment in skills and innovation.
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NewsUK Chemical Industry Calls for Policy Partnership with Government Ahead of Autumn Budget
On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget, accompanied by a full fiscal statement from the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). Britain’s chemical industry has expressed that a future for the UK can be built on a policy partnership with the Government. In a ...
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News2024 Autumn Budget submission from the Chemical Industries Association
On 30 October, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will deliver the Autumn Budget, accompanied by a full fiscal statement from the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). In a detailed submission, the industry presents 35 specific proposals for policy changes covering the Government’s recent industrial strategy, net zero, investment in people and innovation.
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Economic Reports
CIA Economic Report: Second Quarter 2024
Q2 2024 was the second consecutive quarter of expansion after 18 months of contractions. Challenges remain for the sector including the cost of energy and the price of raw materials, both of which are up to four times more expensive than competitor countries.
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NewsCIA Business Survey: Top manufacturing exporter has turned the corner
Figures released by the CIA indicate sustained growth for Q2 2024, building on the positive performance seen in the first three months of the year. This marks a significant recovery following 18 months of severe decline.
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Economic Reports
CIA Economic Report: First Quarter 2024
Q1 2024 was the first quarter of expansion in 18 months. Sales, production levels, and capacity utilisation expanded for 50% of respondents and were all above expectations made in Q4 2023.
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NewsChemical Industry view on the Autumn Statement - Positive but late
The Chemical Industries Association says measures announced are posiitve news for chemical businesses, but could it be too late?
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Economic Reports
CIA Economic Report: Second Quarter 2023
The second quarter brought additional strain to chemical producers as more contractions in sales were reported. Most respondents experienced a decrease in input and energy costs from the previous quarter, but output prices also decreased.
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Economic Reports
CIA Economic Report: Third Quarter 2023
This report has two sections. The first is a CIA analysis of government data via the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This section assesses the UK chemical industry’s performance against that of the wider economy and is followed by a look at what challenges lie ahead. The second section presents ...
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Economic Reports
CIA Economic Report: First Quarter 2023
It was clear that after a challenging end to 2022, the first quarter of 2023 did not bring substantial relief to chemical businesses as a third of members experienced further contractions in sales.
