CBA chief: chemical industry ‘openly questioning’ Government commitment
27 Jan 2026
Chemicals firms are “openly questioning” whether the Government is capable of creating the conditions needed for the sector’s growth, said the CEO of a leading industry association.
Tim Doggett, head of the Chemical Business Association, charged that many CBA members were experiencing significant business challenges as a result of actions and decisions at the highest political level.
He was speaking as the association, which represents the UK chemical supply chain. published its Autumn 2025 Budget Survey.
A high percentage of respondents alleged a lack of economic strategy, rising employment costs and ongoing regulatory uncertainty around UK REACH as key issues. They said these factors were negatively impacting investment, innovation and long-term planning, and that Downing Street had failed to appreciate the strategic importance of the sector.
“More than 96% of all manufactured products in the UK rely on inputs from the chemicals industry,” Doggett pointed out.
“The hard-earned lessons of the pandemic, which exposed just how vulnerable chemical supply chains can be, appear to be increasingly ignored or forgotten.”
The effect of global economic and political changes was acknowledged by respondents but the association said that the “prime driver” for declining business confidence remained uncertainty over government policies.
National Insurance cost rises were a particular focus of criticism, with complaints that this was resulting in fewer hires and investment delay.
Doggett concluded: “The warning signs are clear. Without decisive action to restore confidence and competitiveness, the UK risks sleepwalking into a crisis that will undermine its industrial base, supply chain resilience and national security.”
NEWS: Global chemicals supply chains are suffering unprecedented disruption, suggests the latest DP World analysis, revealing more than 17,500 logistics incidents every year, resulting in more than $12 billion (£8.67 billion) in annual losses for cargo owners. During the last three years, 92% of chemical cargo owners have faced customs or border delays, 91% have been hit by geopolitical disruption and 90% have been impacted by port congestion, it reported.
Pic: Marcin Jozwiak
