Aluminium Industry debate

Philip Dunne leads a debate on the problems facing the aluminium industry caused by the closure of Anglesey Aluminium's smelter at Holyhead and the introduction of new taxes on energy supply.

Mr. Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con): I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House on a topic that is of significant interest in my constituency, and of wider interest to the UK economy.

My constituency includes the town of Bridgnorth. It may surprise the House to learn that Bridgnorth is sometimes known as the aluminium capital of the country. That is because it is home to two large aluminium processing plants: Bridgnorth Aluminium, a rolling mill that makes aluminium flat-rolled coiled products including litho for the printing industry, and employs some 230 people; and Novelis, whose subsidiary has rolling mills in Bridgnorth and is the last aluminium foil producer in the UK. Its foil is used as packaging in containers and as food packaging, and has other industrial uses. It employs 300 people. Both companies are among the largest employers in my constituency, and together they represent one of the largest remaining repositories of aluminium skills in the country.

Last September, the main supplier to Bridgnorth Aluminium-the primary smelter operated at Holyhead on Anglesey by Anglesey Aluminium-was closed. I do not intend to dwell on its demise because the subject has often been raised in the House, not least by the hon. Member for Ynys M