Stoke-on-Trent’s historic ceramics industry is holding its breath as indications are that the Government could announce significant support which could save businesses millions of pounds in crippling energy costs.
All eyes are on Westminster today as Labour Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds unveils its 10-year Industrial Strategy.
It’s understood one of the most significant announcements will be a landmark support package for British manufacturing, including state support for energy intensive industries to drive success against international competitors.
Since 2024’s general election success, Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell, and his colleagues David Williams (Stoke-on-Trent North) and Alison Gardner (Stoke-on-Trent South) have pressed government for the area’s ceramics industry to be given the same support and sustainability afforded to the steel industry.
If today’s announcement is as it seems, it will be a significant achievement for Gareth Snell, who has pressed the case and cajoled ministers for speedy and significant action to literally save the industry.
Although names like Steelite, Portmeirion, Duchess China and Emma Bridgewater lead the way on quality, value and design, they are constantly under threat from cheap imports, poor quality pots and out-and-out fakes.
Gareth Snell – who lead a ceramics summit which brought together politicians, businesses, unions and UK Ceramics trade body earlier this year – has pressed ministers for action and stepped up his work into what he called “sixth gear” after the closure of Royal Stafford and redundancies and falling profits in other businesses.
As the industry hopes for the news it needs today, Gareth said: “I have consistently made the case in Parliament for direct intervention into our failing industrial energy market to bring down electricity and gas bills.
“The mood music from Government is promising. They are taking ceramics seriously and they seem to understand that this is a make-or-break moment for the industry.
“I am hopeful that the help we have been asking for will now be forthcoming but the devil will be in the detail and I will be scrutinising closely.
“And if the help falls short of what we need, I’ll keep fighting to protect jobs and factories in Stoke-on-Trent.”
• Read a full report on the Industrial Strategy announcement here, first, in Daily Focus on Tuesday morning. Subscribe for free here.
