Business
UK cement production drops to lowest levels since 1950s
Pritti Mistry & Simon BrowningBusiness reporters, BBC News
Getty ImagesUK cement production has fallen to its lowest level since 1950, putting the government’s house building plan at risk, a trade body has warned.
Cement is the key binding ingredient in concrete, which is the most widely used material in the construction industry, and mortar.
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) said production levels were “increasingly under threat” due to high energy, regulatory and labour costs.
The Department for Business and Trade said it recognised challenges in the sector and its Industrial Strategy was increasing help for energy-intense companies, which include cement manufacturers.
The Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England by 2029 as part of efforts to solve the housing crisis and boost economic growth.
Under a separate investment strategy unveiled in June, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to pour £725bn over the next decade into maintaining existing infrastructure and building new projects.
But the UK made just 7.3 million tonnes of cement in 2024, according to the MPA, which represents manufacturers of products such as asphalt and cement.
The trade body said that was about half of that produced in 1990 and similar to production levels seen when rationing was still in place following the World War Two.
MPA executive director Dr Diana Casey said the decline threatened to derail the government’s ambitions for housing, infrastructure and clean energy projects.
“[You] can’t build houses, bridges or railways without us,” she told the BBC.
“So the fact production has declined so much at a level since 1950 is worrying,” she continued, adding that it “could impact government targets like homes and hospitals and power plants that are due to be built”.
The MPA said a project such as the Sizewell C nuclear power plant could need up to 750,000 tonnes of cement and a new hospital would require nearly 8,000 tonnes.
A traditional four-bedroom home needs between three and five tonnes.
The MPA said production had fallen due to rising costs and changes to carbon taxation, which reduced market competitiveness and was a major concern to the sector.
It also highlighted the growth of cheaper cement import sales nearly tripling over the past 16 years, from 12% in 2008 to 32% in 2024.
Ms Casey said more action was needed to cut electricity prices, which were “disproportionately affecting the industry”.
“[The] UK is uncompetitive because of high costs – energy particularly – and regulatory burden because of carbon, therefore it is cheaper to import cement,” she said.
“We’re calling on the government to help put domestic production on a level playing field so that it can compete fairly with imports.”
In a statement, the Department for Business and Trade said: “We recognise the cement sector faces challenges which is why our modern Industrial Strategy is increasing support for energy-intensive firms through our Supercharger scheme, which will slash energy prices for eligible businesses.”
According to the MPA, about 40% of British cement is manufactured in the Peak District, with the rest of the production spread across the UK.
The trade body fears jobs could be at risk and “disappear in the future” if imports rise.
Rico Wojtulewicz, head of policy and market insights at the National Federation of Builders, said it was getting harder for construction firms, because there were many stalled projects which meant there was a reduced need for locally manufactured cement.
Building costs had also continued to rise, he added, which was pushing smaller builders out of the sector and driving others to find savings.
“They are all looking for better priced materials,” he said.
Business
Dhanteras shopping: High price tags didn’t dim gold’s shine – Here’s what drew in consumers – The Times of India
High gold and silver prices had little effect on festive shopping this Dhanteras, with sales matching last year’s volumes and rising by more than 25% in value.Shoppers across the country flocked to stores to buy coins and lightweight jewellery, driven by hopes that prices will keep climbing.
Industry executives said gold and silver coins were the top choice for many buyers this year as people saw them as a smart investment and a way to avoid the higher making charges on jewellery. Ten-gram, 24-carat gold coins, priced at around Rs 1.40 lakh each, were especially popular, according to ET.Jewellery sales were led by lightweight pieces in 22- and 18-carat gold, while younger customers opted for more affordable 9- and 14-carat options.Surendra Mehta, national secretary of India Bullion & Jewellers Association said, “There was a good rush, with queues in Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazar to buy gold and silver coins. The trend from Saturday morning indicates trade will be able to achieve gold volumes of the previous Dhanteras.”Many shoppers had earlier postponed purchases, expecting prices to fall. But with no sign of a correction and indicators pointing to new highs, demand surged. “Now that there is no sign of a correction in prices and all economic indicators are pointing towards fresh highs, people have come out to purchase gold,” Colin Shah, managing director, Kama Jewelry, told ET.Jewellers also noticed growing interest from investors. “Despite record high gold prices, we are witnessing renewed enthusiasm this festive season. Consumers are viewing price volatility as a strategic opportunity to reinvest — whether through gold coins or by upgrading jewellery,” said Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Tanishq.Last year, India sold 39 tonnes of gold on Dhanteras. This year, the Muhurat spans two days, 18 and 19 October. Gold and silver were sold at Friday’s closing prices of Rs 1,34,800 per 10 gm and Rs 1,74,306 per kg, respectively, plus 3% GST, ET reported.Prices have risen sharply over the past year, with gold up 65% and silver up 81% since the last Dhanteras. Retailers in many areas even ran short of coins as demand exceeded expectations. “The trend shows that we will surpass last year Dhanteras sales both by volume and value,” said Baby George, CEO of Joyalukkas.Southern India, which accounts for over 40% of the country’s annual gold consumption of 800–850 tonnes, remained the largest market. But strong coin demand was seen across the country, showing how consumers are adapting their buying patterns in response to price trends.
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CBIC extends GSTR-3B filing deadline to October 25, 2025 after BCAS requests relief due to Diwali. The move eases compliance for GST taxpayers and professionals across India.
Taxpayers under GST can’t claim ITC or file GSTR-1 properly if GSTR-3B isn’t filled.
GSTR-3B Filing Due Date Extended: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended the form GSTR-3B filing deadline to October 25, 2025, for both monthly and quarterly filers, providing much-needed relief to taxpayers due to the Diwali festival.
Every registered taxpayer under GST requires to file GSTR-3B, which is a self-declaration return summarizing all outward and inward supplies (sales and purchases) and pay the GST liability for the month/quarter.
Usually, taxpayer have to file the form GSTR-3B on or before the 20th of each month. While small taxpayers who have turnover less than 5 crore have a leverage to opt for quarterly return filing (QRMP), hence filing GSTR-3B quarterly.
The much-needed relaxation comes after the Bombay Chartered Accountant Society (BCAS) asked the Ministry of Finance to extend the due date for filing GSTR-3B returns for September 30 due to the clash with the Diwali festival.
BCAS’s representation in the letter wrote to the Finance Ministry that “the standard statutory due date for furnishing the return is 20th October 2025. The same falls immediately after Sunday, 19th October 2025. Furthermore, the period encompassing 20th October 2025 to 23rd October 2025 coincides directly with the primary days of the Diwali festival, which is observed as a significant public holiday cluster across the country.”
The preparation and finalization of FORM GSTR-3B necessarily involves substantial preparatory work, including reconciliation, data entry, review of Input Tax Credit (ITC) eligibility (often dependent on GSTR-2B generation after the 14th of the month), and fund arrangement for tax payment. Given that the entire period from October 19, 2025, onwards is dedicated to Diwali, professionals, accountants, and company personnel are severely impacted, making the effective compliance window extremely restrictive, if not practically non-existent, BCAS added in the letter.
“Therefore, as a significant step towards ease of doing business, it is earnestly requested that the due date for filing GSTR-3B of September 2025 be extended. Granting this essential administrative relief will enable registered persons and tax practitioners to complete the necessary compliance procedures following the conclusion of the festival period, ensuring accurate and complete return filing and promoting adherence to the provisions of the CGST Act without penalizing taxpayers for unavoidable circumstances,” BCAS concluded.
Why Is It Important To File GSTR-3B?
Taxpayers under GST can’t claim ITC or file GSTR-1 properly if GSTR-3B isn’t filled.
If you file GSTR-3B after the due date, you have to pay a late fee (fixed per day).
As per GST rules:
- Rs 50 per day → if you have any tax liability (Rs 25 CGST + Rs 25 SGST).
- Rs 20 per day → if you have no tax liability (nil return) (Rs 10 CGST + Rs 10 SGST).
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
October 19, 2025, 09:00 IST
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Thousands of young people in Scotland will benefit from skilled “clean energy jobs”, the UK Government has said, as it launched its plans to “train the next generation of energy workers”.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the new plan places Scotland “at the very heart of the clean energy revolution”.
The Government said Scotland will see up to 60,000 jobs in greener energy by 2030 – a 40,000 increase from 2023.
Across the UK, it expects employment to double to 860,000 by the end of the decade, including nuclear energy.
It said 31 “priority occupations” had been identified for the switch away from fossil fuels, including plumbers, electricians and welders.
As part of the transition, the Scottish Government said on Sunday it would jointly invest £18 million with the UK Government to enable thousands of North Sea workers to access tailored support to make the change to more sustainable energy.
UK ministers said their new plans include proposals to ensure people in these jobs have “world class pay, terms and conditions”.
They said this includes closing loopholes to extend employment protections enjoyed by offshore oil and gas workers working beyond UK territorial seas.
Initiatives were also announced to encourage more veterans, ex-offenders and unemployed people into the sector.
The UK Energy Secretary said: “Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs.
“The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen and places Scotland at the very heart of the clean energy revolution this Government is delivering.
“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your home town just to find a decent job.
“Thanks to this Government’s commitment to clean energy a generation of young people in Scotland can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.
“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.”
Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland’s innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new economic opportunities and new jobs for households and communities across the country.
“This continued and expanded funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector over the next three years – helping to deliver a fair and managed transition to the sector.
“We will continue to explore how best to support Scotland’s energy skills transition, working closely with the UK Government on options like guaranteed interview schemes, redeployment pools and skills passporting.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander added: “From offshore wind to carbon capture, Scotland is uniquely positioned to lead our clean energy revolution with world-class resources and skilled workers.
“Harnessing the potential of clean energy is an unmistakable example of how the UK Government is delivering for Scotland.
“These 40,000 new opportunities will benefit a generation of young people across Scotland and represent a pivotal moment in our mission to boost economic growth across all parts of the UK.
“This UK Government is putting money directly into the pockets of hardworking Scots.
“This comes alongside Great British Energy’s launch in Aberdeen, which is already unlocking significant investment and helping to create skilled jobs as we make Britain a clean energy superpower.”
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