Gareth Snell rallies support for renewed drive after major strategy announcement omits ceramic industry

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell has urged the ceramics industry and its supporters to regroup and rally behind an even stronger push to press the case for emergency Government support.

It comes after hopes were dashed that vital subsidies for the sector on crippling energy costs would be included in the Modern Industrial Strategy, announced in parliament today (Mon).

In spite of encouraging noises coming from the Department of Business and Trade, as late as last week, the 10-year plan to drive growth and support UK industry failed to deliver for potteries and the Potteries.

The only hope it brings for now is for the ceramics sector to be included in the British Industries Competitive Scheme, which might deliver support in 2027.

There was no mention of including the ceramics industry in the British Industry Supercharger initiative, which subsidises 60 per cent of energy costs for hundreds of companies, a figure which will rise to 90 per cent in 2026/27.

After quizzing Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds in the Commons, Gareth 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.”