On the 26 November, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, delivered the 2025 Autumn Budget. In response, IChemE’s Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Baker OBE commented:
“Most of the interest around this budget has been on the big picture tax questions facing the Government, but we should not forget that budgets are crucial opportunities for the Government to make the serious investments needed to achieve stated goals on growth and clean energy.
“We welcome the Budget explicitly recognising the foundational role of chemicals sector (albeit it hidden in the footnotes) and the need for support with energy costs. What is important now is that this support is – in fact and actions – appropriately targeted, timely, and delivered effectively.
“We support the principle of expanding maintenance grants for disadvantaged students studying priority courses – particularly STEM subjects. However, it is vital that linking this to the new International Student Levy does not impair further the financial viability of some STEM courses which are already under considerable strain.”
