Backing Ceramics: Parliament Debates Twice in a Week
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Two Debates were held in Parliament this week about further support for our ceramics industry following the recent £120m support package
Westminster Hall Debate on Ceramics Petition
On Monday, a debate was held in Westminster Hall on e-petition 764785: 'Support the Ceramics Industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills'.
The Petition reads:
Support the Ceramics Industry and protect British manufacturing jobs and skills Apply energy intensive industry relief (Supercharger scheme) to the ceramics industry to help cut soaring industrial energy costs & support ceramics businesses, which are at the risk of imminent collapse without urgent intervention, as seen with Denby Pottery registering for administration support. Urgently review the British Industrial Supercharger and expand it to include the ceramics industry within its remit, and produce a policy statement about the Government’s policy to protect and support industry and jobs.
I spoke during the debate about the £120 million support package being a lifeline for local businesses like Silverdale Bathrooms and Ibstock Brickworks, and pushed the Minister on energy costs, skills and my Back British Bricks Bill.
You can watch my contribution below.
Adjournment Debate on the British Industry Supercharger
Yesterday, a further debate took place in the House of Commons Chamber, this time an adjournment debate on the merits of including ceramics in the British Industry Supercharger scheme.
The debate carried on the discussion in Westminster Hall two days earlier, pressing the case for why ceramics – one of the most energy-intensive sectors in the country – continues to sit outside a scheme designed precisely for industries like ours.
I was glad that that it was the Secretary of State himself – unusually – who came to the despatch box to respond to the debate, rather than a junior Minister. This is a clear sign of the strength of feeling behind the calls from MPs across North Staffordshire and other ceramics areas, and of how seriously the Government is now taking them.
I will continue, alongside my colleagues, to push for sustainable, long-term support to secure the future of our vital industry.
