MP Gareth Snell Keeps Up Pressure for Ceramics Sector Inclusion in Energy Cost Support Scheme with Debate in Parliament

MPs have continued to bang the drum for the ceramics industry in Parliament, calling on the Government to extend the British Industry Supercharger Scheme to more ceramics manufacturers and help secure the long-term future of one of Britain’s most important foundation industries.

Leading an Adjournment Debate, Gareth Snell MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ceramics and Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central, welcomed the Government’s recent £120 million support package for the sector but made clear that further action is needed if ceramics businesses are to move from “surviving to thriving”.

The debate saw MPs make a united case for the sector, highlighting its contribution to jobs, exports, housebuilding, defence, advanced manufacturing and local communities.

Mr Snell told Parliament that while the £120 million package secured by Business Secretary Peter Kyle and the Chancellor was a significant vote of confidence in the industry, high energy costs continue to put UK manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.

“The next step, to ensure that we go from surviving to thriving, is including the sector in the supercharger,” he said.

The ceramics industry employs around 20,000 people, contributes approximately £2 billion to the UK economy and generates around £600 million in exports every year. It produces everything from bricks, tiles and sanitaryware to the specialist technical ceramics used in steelmaking, defence systems, nuclear technology and medical devices.

During the debate, Mr Snell argued that it was unfair that many ceramics manufacturers are currently excluded from the Supercharger Scheme despite being highly energy intensive. He highlighted the anomaly that businesses outside the scheme can effectively end up contributing towards the costs of energy relief provided to industries that are included.

He called on ministers to review eligibility criteria and include key ceramics manufacturing sectors, including brick and tile production, refractory ceramics and sanitaryware.

Backing the campaign, Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee, Stafford MP Leigh Ingham and Lichfield MP Dave Robertson all reinforced the importance of supporting British ceramics manufacturers, particularly as the Government delivers its commitment to build 1.5 million new homes.

Mr Snell said that where taxpayers’ money is being used to support housing development, there is a strong case for ensuring British-made products are used wherever possible.

The MP also stressed the strategic importance of ceramics to national resilience, noting that the industry supplies components essential to steel production, defence applications, nuclear submarines and emerging clean energy technologies.

Responding on behalf of the Government, Business Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the strength of the case made by Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire MPs and confirmed that eligibility for the British Industry Supercharger will be reviewed this year.

The Secretary of State praised the industry’s heritage, skilled workforce and economic significance, while recognising the impact that industrial decline has historically had on communities.

He told MPs: “I would not allow that to happen again on my watch.”