Pottery firms 'need faster action' from government

The boss of a pottery firm has said the ceramics industry needed "faster action" from the government following the announcement of its industrial strategy.

Ministers revealed a number of support measures in their 10-year plan on Monday in a bid to help energy-intensive sectors battle rising costs.

Under the strategy, more than 7,000 businesses would see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, while 500 would have their network charges cut from 2026.

Mike Raybould, CEO of Portmeirion Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, said the measures were "a start" but questioned why firms had to wait at least a year before the changes come into effect.

"It's good that they're recognising and finally talking about the UK ceramics industry. It's an important industry for the country, at least 10,000 people work directly in the industry," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"But we need to see the detail, we need to see faster action and I suspect we probably need to see more support as well."

While the support with electricity bills was welcome, Mr Raybould said firms wanted to see support with gas prices too, describing it as the more "dominant" form of energy in the industry.

He said the issues in the sector had been a problem for two years and it needed more urgent support.

"What can our government do to move faster on this and a variety of other issues? That's what we need – a faster government, a faster reaction and that's what we're going to continue to call for."

Meanwhile, industry body Ceramics UK said it was "disappointed" with the industrial strategy and accused the government of neglecting the "essential importance" of the pottery sector.

"While we need time to review in detail, we believe this strategy represents a missed opportunity to truly underpin and champion a cornerstone of British manufacturing," a spokesperson said.

Labour MP Gareth Snell, who represents Stoke-on-Trent Central, said the ceramics industry were given "an IOU for 2027".

"It feels like a kick in the teeth, but it's not game over," he added.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the interventions would help the pottery sector by reducing industrial energy prices and creating better access to finance.

He said it had been a "really tough time" for ceramics firms, adding: "That sector will benefit and it will make a real difference."

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