National Averages
Updated 14 Apr 2026Non-Ferrous
Copper
£7.76
per kg
Non-Ferrous
Aluminium
£0.87
per kg
Ferrous
Steel
£0.15
per kg
Non-Ferrous
Brass
£3.80
per kg
Non-Ferrous
Lead
£1.03
per kg
Non-Ferrous
Stainless Steel
£0.47
per kg
Prices by Region
North East England
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North West England
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Yorkshire & Humber
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Midlands
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South East England
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South West England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Browse by Metal
Non-Ferrous
Copper
4 grades · View all →
Non-Ferrous
Aluminium
3 grades · View all →
Ferrous
Steel
2 grades · View all →
Non-Ferrous
Brass
1 grade · View all →
Non-Ferrous
Lead
2 grades · View all →
Non-Ferrous
Stainless Steel
2 grades · View all →
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are UK scrap metal prices updated?
ScrapIQ updates national averages every day based on live rates reported by scrap yards across the UK. Non-ferrous prices (copper, aluminium, brass, lead) typically move on every trading day, while ferrous prices (steel, cast iron) tend to shift weekly as global demand changes.
Why do scrap prices vary between yards?
Regional prices depend on local demand, transport costs to the nearest port or smelter, and each yard's processing margin. Yards close to major steelworks or deepwater ports (Liverpool, Tilbury, Immingham) generally pay more for large loads because their onward logistics are cheaper.
Which scrap metal is worth the most per kg?
Among common scrap, copper (£5–£8/kg for bright wire) and brass (£3–£4/kg) lead on price per kilo. Precious metal scrap such as catalytic converter ceramics can be worth far more but require specialist buyers. Aluminium, lead and stainless sit in the middle; steel is the lowest per kg but usually the highest by volume.
Can I check scrap metal prices by region?
Yes. ScrapIQ publishes regional pages for North East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands, South East, South West, Scotland and Wales. Use them to compare today's prices against your nearest yards — useful if you are weighing a long-distance run against a smaller local offer.
Are prices shown before or after VAT?
Prices on ScrapIQ are the amount a yard pays per kilo before any VAT adjustments. Most UK scrap transactions fall under the VAT reverse charge for metals, meaning the buyer (yard) accounts for VAT rather than the seller. If you are VAT-registered, your accountant will apply the reverse charge at invoice time.