The UK government has announced £120 million investment fund for the ceramics sector. The Ceramics Industry Support Fund was announced yesterday in parliament by Chancellor Rachel Reeves who said £60 million is being allocated towards capital expenditure to help the ceramics sector invest in equipment, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Another £60 million has been ringfenced to help the ceramics’ industry fund related costs.
The news has broadly been welcomed across the industry with Portmeirion Group CEO Michael Scheepers describing the move as “encouraging”.
“It is encouraging to see His Majesty’s Government listen and take action to support UK ceramics with the announcement of a £120m fund that recognises the important role that our sector contributes to British industry,” Mr Sheepers says. “We look forward to finding out further details of how the scheme will function and working with industry partners to make best use of the funds. This action underpins our confidence to continue our investments as we look to elevate our heritage brands to a wider global consumer and drive our export business.
“Portmeirion is a champion of UK ceramics and our stable of brands are steeped in the rich heritage of British craftmanship and design. We are already a major sector employer and exporter of UK ceramics and the international opportunity for our brands is at the heart of our growth plans as we execute our ‘Elevating Portmeirion’ strategy.
“In 2025, we committed to UK manufacturing and the City of Stoke-on-Trent with the launch of our ‘Made in Stoke-on-Trent’ strategy which will significantly increase UK production of our branded tableware products over the next two years. To date this has seen us produce 7% more branded pieces of tableware in Stoke in the last financial year alone.
“Alongside others in the industry we will continue to lobby hard for further support for UK ceramics exports, including the vital Ceramics (UK Country of Origin) Marketing Bill (aka “The Backstamp Bill”) which aims to promote consumer transparency and ultimately protect British craftmanship and UK jobs.”
The news was also welcomed by Ceramics UK. Rob Flello, chief executive of Ceramics UK met with secretary of state for business and trade, Peter Kyle earlier this week to discuss the support package and how to design and implement it.
Rob Flello said: “This is a turning point for the sector, with the Government taking decisive action that recognises the fundamental role of ceramics in the UK economy.
“It should propel us ahead into the years and the decades to come, and once more make the UK’s ceramic industry the talk of the world.
“With a focus on decarbonisation, it can create investment in new equipment and technology that will champion innovation, while safeguarding jobs and putting the sector on a more sustainable footing for the future.
“Ceramics are critical to the manufacture of vital products such as steel, glass and other high temperature products, as well as items that are used daily in homes and businesses across the UK.
“Ceramics UK has previously pressed for the Government to include ceramics in the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, but this new package announced by the Secretary of State surpasses that, with much more targeted support geared to the unique needs of our sector.
“Now, working with our members as the voice of the industry, we look forward to working closely with Ministers and civil servants in designing and implementing the measures outlined in the Business Secretary’s statement of intent.
“Our priority is to ensure that the scheme works for all members of Ceramics UK, from the smallest ceramics companies through to the largest organisations, creating a sustainable future for our industry.”
