Senior leaders from the UK ceramics industry joined MPs, Ceramics UK and trade unions to launch a wide-ranging rescue plan to support and sustain the sector.
A delegation is meeting ministers and the energy companies in Westminster tomorrow, 18 March, to press the case for government action to protect many thousands of jobs.
The sector faces unprecedented threats from soaring energy costs, cheap low quality foreign imports, fake goods and the cost of decarbonisation.
An historic summit of leading UK ceramics manufacturers at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce’s HQ in Stoke-on-Trent agreed on the key challenges to the sector and signed off a set of “asks” to take to Westminster.
Delegates will ask for the following short-term action to address critical challenges:
• A fairer deal on energy costs which punish the ceramics sector much more than other sectors.
• Temporary exemption from climate change requirements while grants and/or loans are put in place to support transition to cleaner technology.
• Support for apprenticeships and an acknowledgement of the pressure increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions and the living wage put on the sector.
• Financial support through business rate reform and tax breaks on research and investment.
• Accelerating trade deals with the EU and USA, and placing tariffs on countries with high carbon economies, poor employment rights and health and safety practices and heavy government subsidies who export cheap ceramics to the UK.
• Introduce a ground-breaking scrappage scheme for the hospitality industry to trade in their tableware and buy new UK ceramics.
• Promote and request prompt payment to support cash flow.
MPs from Stoke-on-Trent and the Amber Valley in Derbyshire were joined at the meeting by Ceramics UK CEO Rob Flello, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Rachel Laver, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth and senior representatives from the GMB Union which represents ceramics workers, and employers Steelite International, Denby Pottery, Burgess and Leigh, Dunoon and Emma Bridgewater.
Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell said: “We’ve seen job losses at Portmeirion, the collapse of the historic Royal Stafford brand and reduced profits at Emma Bridgewater.
“Even our most successful pottery businesses, which fire luxury hospitality brands around the globe, and put the best crockery on the world’s tables, are struggling with energy costs and the ups-and-downs of global markets.
“For some time we’ve been approaching a tipping point, and the tipping point is here. Together we’re moving up into sixth gear to press for action to support this vital sector.”
Ceramics UK CEO Rob Flello added: “The UK ceramics industry is under threat like never before. This rescue plan highlights the key actions that the UK Labour government can take to support this critical foundation industry and its skilled workforce.”
