The strategic significance of the UK’s glass and glazing sector took centre stage at a parliamentary event hosted on the Westminster Terrace, where leading voices from government and industry gathered to spotlight the material’s critical role in the UK’s economic and environmental future. Organised by the UK Glass & Glazing Collective – a strategic alliance between British Glass, Glass Futures, the Glass & Glazing Federation, and the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers – the event brought together MPs, ministers, and industry representatives in a rare show of unity aimed at shaping a more competitive and sustainable future for domestic glass manufacturing.
Backed by cross-party engagement, the reception highlighted glass not simply as a traditional material but as an enabler of modern technology and a pillar of the green industrial transition. Speakers outlined the sector’s contributions to everything from low-carbon construction and insulation to high-growth areas such as solar energy, quantum computing, and medical innovation.
David Baines MP sponsored the event, which featured addresses from Minister for Industry Chris McDonald, Sarah Champion MP, and leading industry figures including Mike Butterick of the Flat Glass Manufacturers Association, British Glass president Dean Butler, Steven Heath of Knauf Insulation, and Justin Kelly, CEO of Glass Futures.
In his remarks, Dave Dalton, CEO of British Glass, called for a fairer, more coherent policy framework to support the industry’s transition and economic role. “We’re asking for a fairer and better considered policy environment through which we can stabilise recent declines and re-establish our role in bolstering revenues, maintaining UK manufacturing jobs and leading the technology agenda,” he said.
Justin Kelly echoed the call for urgent reform, pointing to energy costs and circularity as immediate priorities. “The Glass Collective parliamentary reception was a landmark moment for our industry – the first time we’ve come together, united across sectors and even among competitors, with a shared voice and clear policy asks,” he said. “Without urgent action to level the playing field on energy costs and enable circularity through recycling, we risk losing momentum.”
The industry’s policy platform centres on five key demands: a UK industrial decarbonisation strategy that includes glass; fair and effective recycling and producer responsibility systems; a level playing field in packaging regulation and deposit return schemes; targeted incentives for high-efficiency glazing and UK-made glass; and long-term policy stability supported by structured engagement with government.
These asks reflect a growing urgency within the sector, which contributes £7.1bn to the UK economy and supports 100,000 jobs, with 80% of its products made domestically. Glass manufacturers are contending with a policy environment that, according to several speakers, disproportionately penalises the industry – particularly in areas such as energy taxation and weight-based packaging levies.
Alderman Alison Gowman CBE of the City of London Corporation described the event as a timely and collaborative intervention. “The Glass Industry gathered in Parliament last week to talk about their strategic importance – it is worth £7.1bn to the UK economy. But there are still things that are right and wrong,” she said, referencing both recognition in the government’s industrial strategy and ongoing issues such as the high cost of electricity and the impact of the packaging tax.
Minister Chris McDonald acknowledged both the potential and the challenge. While reaffirming the sector’s place in the UK’s industrial future, he noted the need to explore decarbonisation pathways, including hydrogen as a fuel source.
As the UK government intensifies its focus on energy resilience and net zero, the glass industry is positioning itself as both a beneficiary and a driver of that transition. The parliamentary reception may have marked a symbolic moment of unity, but sector leaders were clear: tangible support and long-term engagement will be critical if the UK is to fully realise the economic and environmental value of domestic glass manufacturing.
The UK Glass & Glazing Collective confirmed it will continue to press its case with government to ensure the sector’s priorities are reflected in future industrial and environmental policy.
Why This Matters: A sector worth £7.1bn to the UK economy demands the attention of the Government and this gathering is a positive move for all involved. What happens next is the important bit. We have been here before and eventually the ball was dropped due to change in Government and changes in the management within several key stakeholders. The next step must be a move up the chain of command in Government – where senior ministers and department heads understand the importance of the glass industry in helping to deliver on UK’s targets for business and the environment.
