THE MP for Truro and Falmouth has backed claims from the Prime Minister that Cornwall could be "at the cutting edge of the UK’s technological future."

Cherilyn Mackrory says she has welcomed the comments by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying Cornwall will lead the way in the UK’s technological revolution.

The Prime Minister wrote to Cherilyn following ‘Tech Week’ earlier this year to highlight Cornwall’s importance in the wider effort to turn the UK into a technological and innovation super-power.

The PM’s comments follow the UK Government’s announcement earlier this summer that Cornish Lithium has secured £53.6m to open the first mine for the metal in Britain.

The Government says it will also be developing an inbound foreign direct investment proposition for other UK critical minerals projects, building on earlier work in Cornwall, as well as support the development of industrial clusters for mining and refining critical minerals, such as lithium extraction in Cornwall.

Rishi Sunak MP, the Prime Minister, said: "From the tip of Cornwall northwards, the UK has pockets of mineral wealth and clusters of expertise in refining and material manufacturing, many having trained at the world-renowned Camborne School of Mines.

“We need lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite for batteries, silicon, tin, and gallium for our electronics, and rare earth elements for electric motors. With rising global demand, we cannot rely on mineral supply chains vulnerable to market shocks, geopolitical events, and logistical issues, so we are taking decisive action.

"Our first ever Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS), launched in July 2022, sets out our approach to accelerating our domestic capabilities, collaborating with international partners and enhancing international markets.

"The CMS also supports our Levelling Up agenda, to drive up pay, employment and productivity, particularly in industrial areas like those of Cornwall."

Cherilyn Mackrory, Truro and Falmouth MP and Chair of APPG on Critical Minerals added: "The Southwest, and Cornwall in particular, should absolutely be at the front of the queue when investors are considering where to build the data centres, renewable energy infrastructure, and refreshing green initiatives that are going to power our future and connect the United Kingdom with the rest of the world.

"Already, Cornwall is a national digital interchange with subsea cables running for hundreds of miles to the United States, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ireland, France and Germany. Live connections join our whole nation with the rest of the world, in the same way that Cornwall's successful mining history drove our past international trading relationships.

"As the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Critical Minerals, I see first-hand the opportunities young people in Truro & Falmouth will be able to enjoy and it is vital we continue to provide opportunities for local people to become the engineers and wider labour force for these emerging sectors."