MP Jo Gideon has said government help is “vital” to the future of the UK ceramic industry.
Writing in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP, she states that hikes in energy costs have “almost brought the industry to its knees over recent months”.
Ms Gideon, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ceramics, states almost 20,000 people are employed directly by the UK ceramics industry, with many more employed by the supply chain.
She says many manufacturers and suppliers are based in deprived areas, yet receive little government support.
The letter she has sent was signed by 12 parliamentary colleagues.
The Stoke-on-Trent Central MP wrote: “We believe that it is vital that the government takes further steps to ensure that UK ceramics is protected long into the future, if only to ensure that foundation industries which depend on UK ceramics are also protected.
“We would be grateful if you can confirm that the Government shares our view and that it will act decisively to support the UK ceramic industry.”
Wade Ceramics, based in Stoke-on-Trent, went into administration at the start of the month, blaming the loss of a major company and current economic challenges including rising energy costs.
Around 130 people lost their jobs with its collapse.
A jobs fair to help those affected was held in Hanley on Friday, and one is taking place at Steelite International, in Middleport, between 9.30am and 12.30pm today.
