Ministers dealt a hammer blow to Stoke-on-Trent’s historic ceramics industry after hoped-for support failed to materialize in the Government’s 10-year industrial strategy, announced yesterday.
This was after muted excitement beforehand when it appeared pottery manufacturers might be shored up by subsidies to reduce crippling energy costs and make them more competitive on global markets.
The wide-ranging lobby of MPs, trade unions, the pottery companies themselves and Ceramics UK were left reeling yesterday after the long-hoped for recognition and support was not included in the 160-page document.
And anger grew as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Jonathan Reynolds rose in the Commons to unveil the landmark strategy in which Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised to “to back British businesses, invest in our comparative advantage, and take punts in pursuit of growth and productivity.”
Daily Focus can’t print the first response we received from Westminster as news of the strategy’s content spread!
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has expressed disappointment at the lack of immediate and targeted support for the region’s ceramics industry in the Industrial Strategy announcement.
CEO Rachel Laver said last night: “While we welcome the ambition to create a competitive and future-facing UK economy, today’s strategy is a missed opportunity for Stoke-on-Trent’s world-renowned ceramics industry.
“There is no immediate support for energy-intensive manufacturers like those in our local ceramics sector, which continue to face unsustainable energy costs and mounting global pressures. Delayed action simply isn’t enough for a sector in urgent need of intervention.
“We had hoped for clear, direct measures – especially given long-standing calls from businesses and MPs across the city – and the absence of specific help for ceramics is deeply disappointing.
“Our local firms, from heritage brands to innovative exporters, have the potential to lead a manufacturing revival, but only if government recognises and responds to their unique challenges.
“We remain committed to working with partners across the British Chambers network and with government to push for faster, fairer support for the industries that matter to places like Stoke-on-Trent. Ceramics must not be left behind.”
Rob Flello, Chief Executive of the Ceramics UK trade organisation, was also quick out of the trap to slam the government’s “error.”
He said: “We’re disappointed that the Government have fundamentally neglected the essential importance of the UK ceramics industry.
“While we need time to review in detail, we believe this strategy represents a missed opportunity to truly underpin and champion a cornerstone of British manufacturing.
“The UK ceramics industry is not a local or niche endeavour; it is a nationwide and foundational industry, which encompasses a diverse range of products and applications, and is critical for everything from housebuilding to manufacturing steel.
“It is an error on the Government’s part not to support the UK ceramics sector in the Industrial Strategy and Ceramics UK is calling for this to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
“We need dedicated policies that recognise both the vital role of ceramics in the UK, and the unique challenges faced by the sector, to ensure it can continue to contribute to the economy, the nation’s security, and to maintain our global standing.”
- Read Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell’s reaction here.
