Pictured from left to right at the event are: Rob Flello, Chief Executive of Ceramics UK; Minister for Industry Sarah Jones; Hannah Ault, Managing Director of Valentine Clays and President of Ceramics UK; and Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central.
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Ceramics industry leaders take concerns to Parliament

1 min read

Ceramics industry leaders have met with Minister for Industry Sarah Jones to raise their concerns during challenging times.

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell hosted an event with the minister at the Houses of Parliament last week.

It was the first parliamentary dinner of Ceramics UK, which represents over 90 per cent of the UK ceramics industry, and provided the opportunity to discuss energy costs, supply chains, global trade and import arrangements as well as skills and business costs.

Gareth has previously raised the issue of support for energy intensive industries in Parliament and has pledged continued representation of the ceramics sector.

Around 25 people attended the dinner including all three Stoke-on-Trent MPs, representatives from locally based Valentine Clays and Churchill China, Ibstocks Brick and other national companies whose supply chains link back into Stoke-on-Trent.

Gareth, pictured above speaking at the event, said: “The emerging Industrial Strategy puts a huge focus of green energy, advanced manufacturing and defence and all of these are underpinned by foundational and heavy industries such as ceramics.

“Decision makers need to hear about what this sector needs to ensure we’re ready to support the delivery of the strategy.”

He added: “Thousands of jobs in Stoke-on-Trent are supported by manufacturing across several sectors with ceramics being a huge part of that.

“If the Government is to deliver the economic growth we need, then these sectors need support to deliver on the Government’s ambitions.

“For ceramics, in particular, if we are to build 1.2 million homes, then we need bricks, tiles and clay pipes and we should be supporting our domestic industry to deliver those materials.

“This creates jobs and wealth in the UK rather than relying on oversees producers and foreign imports.”

Ceramics UK Chief Executive Robert Flello said: “The Minister was clearly listening carefully but also already aware of the needs of our industry. We will continue to engage with her on possible solutions to the challenges we face.”

Hayley Johnson

Senior journalist with over 15 years’ experience writing for customers and audiences all over the world. Previous work has included everything from breaking news for national newspapers to complex business stories, in-depth human-interest features and celebrity interviews - and most things in between.

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