Stoke-on-Trent’s three MPs joined colleagues from across Staffordshire in Parliament to press the Government for greater long-term support for the ceramics industry during a debate prompted by a petition signed by more than 100,000 people.
The Westminster Hall debate – which was opened by Lichfield MP and GMB Union member Dave Robertson – focused on calls to extend the British Industry Supercharger scheme to ceramics manufacturers to help tackle high energy costs, alongside wider measures to protect jobs, skills and British manufacturing.
Speaking during the debate, Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell highlighted the importance of the industry beyond North Staffordshire.
He said: “Yes, we are the spiritual home of the pottery industry, but there are ceramics manufacturers in most parts of this country making something beautiful out of dirt, essentially, and turning clay into art.”
Stoke-on-Trent North MP David Williams described ceramics as central to the city’s identity, telling MPs: “Ceramics are who we are in North Staffordshire; they are in our DNA. They are in the bottle kilns on our skyline and the names above our factory gates, and they are literally in the hands of the people I proudly represent.”
He added: “We will keep fighting for more, as we always have. Ceramics is who we are, and our story is far from finished.”
Stoke-on-Trent South MP Dr Allison Gardner highlighted the city’s internationally renowned manufacturers, including Wedgwood, 1882 Ltd, Duchess China, Susan Rose China and Caverswall China, saying: “It is no wonder that so many of my constituents take great pride in working in the Pots.”
She added: “Since being elected, I, along with all my colleagues, have repeatedly raised with Ministers the importance of the ceramic sectors in North Staffordshire. That was to safeguard not only our tableware sector and proud potters’ heritage, but the strategic value of advanced ceramics, which I am pleased to see are now included in the British industrial competitiveness scheme.”
The debate followed a petition launched by recently appointed Portmeirion Group marketing director Hayley Baddiley – who was in the Public Gallery to watch the debate – after the collapse of her former employer Denby, which attracted more than 100,000 signatures.
Ahead of the debate, Portmeirion Group chief executive Michael Scheepers urged politicians to back long-term support for the sector.
In a letter to Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham, copied to Gareth Snell, he welcomed the Government’s £120 million support package but said it remained ‘very much a short-term solution’.
He wrote: “The industry stands ready and willing to work with the Government so that we can continue our growth plans, invest in the region of Stoke-on-Trent, create more jobs and protect this iconic industry which is steeped in rich British history.
“However, for some it is already too late as the recent failures of brands such as Denby, Royal Stafford and Moorcroft sadly demonstrate.”
Michael Scheepers also warned that increased employment costs had forced Portmeirion to suspend its apprenticeship academy, despite paying around £80,000 into the apprenticeship levy last year. He called for greater support to protect traditional skills and boost exports, pointing to the company’s ‘Made in Stoke-on-Trent’ strategy, which increased UK production of its branded tableware by seven per cent last year.
Ahead of the debate, GMB Union, representing workers in the ceramics industry, called on MPs to support the industry by ‘buying British’.
Organiser Chris Hoofe said: “This debate is a historic opportunity to set out just how vital UK ceramics are. We have seen this year that the Government get it and are stepping up their support for the sector.
“Now is the time to be bold on British industry; that is why we are calling for ceramics to be included in the Government’s energy intensive relief framework, known as the Supercharger.
“But now is also the time to buy British and ensure that Government bodies, embassies and institutions are using British made cups, plates and bathroom products.
“That is why today we are calling on MPs to support changes to procurement rules to ensure we always prioritise British industry.”
Responding to the debate, Minister for Industry Chris McDonald – who told the Commons that he uses a Dunoon mug with a Union flag design ‘every morning for his first cup of tea’ – said: “It is important to recognise the [ceramic industry support] scheme as a great vote of confidence by the Government in the ceramics industry. We are determined to work with the industry to provide support with decarbonisation.”
