Scotland's essential mineral producers have published a new report calling on the Scottish Government to unlock economic growth, streamline planning procedures, and support the construction supply chain.

In its publication, Priorities for Scotland, the Mineral Products Association Scotland (MPAS) warns that increasing tax burdens, prolonged planning timelines, and high energy costs are threatening investment and hampering growth across a sector that underpins all building projects. To address these challenges, the report outlines practical policy measures for the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary term.

Key recommendations include resisting unnecessary increases to the Scottish Aggregates Tax to ensure domestic producers remain competitive, reviewing mineral planning and permitting systems to meet future material demands, and establishing a Scottish Minerals Forum to foster stronger collaboration between government and industry.

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The report highlights how MPAS's proposals aim to resolve sector-specific obstacles while supporting broader Scottish Government goals surrounding economic growth, housing delivery, infrastructure development, and decarbonisation. It also details the sector's substantial contribution to the Scottish economy, which includes directly employing over 5,000 people, generating more than £0.5 billion in GVA, and producing nearly 30 million tonnes of aggregates, concrete, and asphalt annually.

Alan Doak, Director of MPAS, said: "The mineral products sector is the foundation of Scotland's economy, and the materials we produce are essential for homes, schools and hospitals, as well as vital transport and energy infrastructure."

"Scotland's geology means we have abundant mineral resources, but their planning, processing and supply must not be taken for granted. Scottish firms in our sector are facing a number of acute challenges – a growing cumulative tax burden, high energy costs and inadequate replenishment of permitted aggregate reserves. These must be resolved so we can keep on supplying the construction projects and industries that power Scotland's economy.

"As the Scottish Government looks ahead to its next Programme for Government and Budget, it should take on board these common-sense measures to allow us to maximise our contribution to Scotland's economy and help the Scottish Government achieve its ambitions."

"That includes no increase to the Scottish Aggregates Tax rate beyond what the rest of the UK pays; tackling unnecessary cost, delay, uncertainty and bureaucracy in Scotland's planning and permitting systems; investing in carbon capture technologies and energy infrastructure; and setting up a Scottish Minerals Forum so we can address these and other issues with the Scottish Government on a long-term basis."