Chancellor tells us Stoke ceramics is an important part of Britain's future

The Chancellor's told us she is clear that Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry has an important place in the country's future.

It comes after pottery firms criticised the lack of emergency government support for things like energy bills, saying it was "offensive" how no immediate support was offered to them in her spending review - or trade and industrial strategy.

Energy costs and cheap imports have been blamed for pushing two firms this year into liquidation.

"Ceramics in Stoke and Staffordshire are an important part of our industrial heritage, but also an important part of our industrial future as well." said Rachel Reeves.

"That's why in the Industrial Strategy that we announced on Monday we've extended the Supercharger that reduces electricity prices for our most energy intensive industries, including ceramics, and why we're introducing further reductions to electricity prices for energy intensive industries including ceramics."

Rachel Reeves continued: "We've listened toc concerns from our Labour MP's in Stoke in putting forward these changes which will make electricity prices for energy intensive businesses in Britain competitive with countries oversees for the first time in a long time. That's good for business in Britain, jobs in Britain and will also help us export more."

After quizzing Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds in the Commons, Stoke Central MP Gareth Snell said: “Along with David Williams MP (Stoke-on-Trent North) and Allison Gardner MP (Stoke-on-Trent South) I have met with ministers for months, pressing the fact that emergency action is needed to support this vital industry.

“We've been pointing out the immediate needs of a sector that employs thousands of people in our city and yet today nothing on gas pricing, nothing on electricity pricing, no access to the supercharger scheme and we are instead given an IOU for 2027.

“So I asked the Secretary of State what message I can take home to Stoke-on-Trent this week? What's in this industrial strategy that will give them the help and the support that they need today rather than having to wait for an IOU post-dated to next year?

“For months we have been told to wait for the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Industrial Strategy and we would see benefits for the ceramics industry.

“We even heard briefings last week which suggested that the ceramics industry would be included in the Supercharger initiative, which would knock millions of pounds off the sector’s energy bills.

“I want the sector to know that we will regroup, rethink and take every opportunity to get the support the ceramics industry needs.”

It had been hoped that increased subsidies for other energy-intensive sectors would be extended to pottery manufacturers.

Gareth Snell, colleagues, unions, Ceramics UK and manufacturing companies have presented ministers with a rescue plan based on sustainable support to help the sector compete around the world on a level playing field.

But the only mention of Stoke-on-Trent in the 160-page The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published yesterday (Mon) was in the context of the importance of certain regionally-based industries at the heart of supply chains.

Gareth added: “It feels like a kick in the teeth but it’s not game over. We will make the most of opportunities to secure the support our city and our ceramics sector need.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.