UK Metals Council
The UK Metals Council (UKMC) represents the UK metals sector to government.
the UK metals sector economic impact
11,500+
Companies
1 Million
Jobs
£200BN
Contributed to UK GDP
21
Employees per enterprise. Dominated by small companies
22,730
Apprentices
representing the UK metals sector to government.
Many people don’t realise the full impact of metal on our daily lives.
The reality is that we all touch metals every single day, be that in our homes and in the services we all use, in the cars, planes and trains we travel in, in the medical devices we rely on to keep us healthy, as well as all the tools and machinery used for their production.
And it is now recognised that metals can be infinitely and readily recycled into new parts, something that cannot be said for many other materials in modern life.
Commonly regarded as a foundation sector, the UK metals sector employs nearly 1 million people directly and through the supply chains it supports.
Over 11,500 companies make the magic happen and that ranges from the mills that produce the materials and the processors that curate it, to sub-contract machinists, toolmakers and the big OEMs who fit it to their cars, planes, boats and hardware in total, more than £200bn is generated for the UK economy.
There is also a legion of new generation firms emerging and this is very exciting. With the focus on the circular economy, we are quickly finding how important it is for metals to be recycled and to do this we need the specialist expertise of the recyclers and innovation and acceptance of second life applications.
In essence, we need to value metals more and that is where the UK Metals Council (UKMC) comes into its own, championing our sector and lobbying Government to ensure it receives the support it needs to play its crucial role in society.
Our Members
there’s more to metal
Metals In the UK
Careers in Metal
Innovation in metal
Journey to Net Zero
Uk metals expo
The leading event that brings the entire metals supply chain together with engineering, manufacturing, fabrication & construction.
8th October 2025
Women With Metal 2025 Conference
Join us at the Women With Metal 2025 Conference as we Fabricate the Future!
Latest News
Metals Recycling apprenticeship at risk
BMRA is calling on metal recyclers across England to help save the Metal Recycling General Operative (MRGO) apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is not exclusive to BMRA members. It is available to all metals recycling businesses. The British Metals Recycling...
Enginuity and CBM Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Strengthen Skills for UK Manufacturing SMEs
Enginuity has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), marking the beginning of a strategic partnership to strengthen SME manufacturing skills, workforce development and employer engagement. The agreement brings...
Free Webinar: Could Your Business Benefit from the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS)?
The UK Metals Council are pleased to support a free webinar delivered by Greenfields Energy Group, designed to help UK manufacturers understand the opportunities available through the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). With energy costs continuing to...