Stoke pottery boss asks Prime Minister where promised £120m for ceramics industry is
Portmeirion chief executive also asks whether the Budget will tackle energy costs
The boss of one of Stoke-on-Trent's major pottery firms has written to the Prime Minister asking why £120 million of promised funding for the ceramics industry has not arrived.
Earlier this year, the Government announced £120 million to support capital investment in energy efficiency and decarbonisation, alongside operational support for businesses facing increased costs.
Michael Scheepers is the chief executive of Portmeirion Group, which owns the Portmeirion, Spode and Royal Worcester brands.
He's outlined questions to Andy Burnham along with an invitation to visit the company's factory in Stoke-on-Trent.
What the letter says
The letter puts two questions to the Government.
The first is where the £120 million is, and when it will be given to the businesses that need it.
The second is about energy costs, which Mr Scheepers says are now higher than when the funding was announced.
He said in the letter: 'Will the Government now finally provide meaningful support to the UK ceramics sector on soaring energy costs in the upcoming Budget?'
The letter says that, aside from a roundtable meeting in September with the Department for Business, Science, Innovation and Technology, nothing has been heard since the announcement.
It also says ceramics remains excluded from the British Industry Supercharger scheme, despite repeated calls for it to be included.
According to the letter, comparable industries such as steel and concrete, which use less energy, do receive this support.
Mr Scheepers says historic ceramics businesses including Royal Stafford, Moorcroft and Denby have closed or entered administration since April 2024.
He said in the letter: 'Whilst those words are welcome, it is vital they are translated into timely, long-term support or we risk losing further iconic British brands and hundreds more highly skilled industrial jobs.'
He was referring to a recent speech in which the Prime Minister described himself as a defender of the Potteries.
Mr Scheepers said in the letter: 'I would be delighted to host you for a factory tour, to see first-hand the fantastic craftsmanship our industry inspires, meet some of our skilled employees, see for yourself the skills and products we are trying to protect, and hear directly what the Government can do in the Budget to support British ceramics.'
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