UK Government Unveils £120 Million Support Package for Ceramics Industry

On 21 May 2024 Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £120 million package for the UK ceramics sector, split equally between capital grants and operational relief to fund equipment upgrades, energy-efficiency and decarbonisation projects.

Ceramics UK welcomes Government’s £120 million industry support package

The sector, centred in Stoke-on-Trent, relies on gas for about 90 % of its energy, exposing it to price spikes after the Ukraine war. Closures such as Denby Pottery and Royal Stafford and a fall from 137 to 123 firms between 2018 and 2024 show the strain.

Potters win £120m rescue as government finally backs Britain’s ceramics heartland

£60 million will fund capital upgrades such as new kilns, electricity or hydrogen conversion; the other £60 million will offset rising operating costs. Eligible firms span refractory, clay building, household and technical ceramics.

Birmingham Mail

Ceramics supply steel, glass, aerospace, defence and medical products; modernising the sector bolsters UK economic resilience, net-zero goals and protects thousands of skilled jobs from Staffordshire to Devon.

Government steps in to back long-term resilience of UK’s chemicals and ceramics industries

The government framed the funding as a strategic move to secure “industries our country depends on” and to give businesses long-term certainty. GMB’s Charlotte Brumpton-Childs welcomed the step, calling it a “hugely welcome” move that finally listens to energy-intensive workers.

Government steps in to back long-term resilience of UK’s chemicals and ceramics industries

GMB had previously criticised the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme for omitting ceramics and brickmaking, arguing the sector’s heavy gas reliance was ignored. The union sees the new package as a corrective measure.

Potters win £120m rescue as government finally backs Britain’s ceramics heartland

Rob Flello, chief executive of Ceramics UK, called the announcement a “turning point”. Emma Bridgewater’s Iain Martin called the support “very welcome” amid rising energy and labour costs.

Potters win £120m rescue as government finally backs Britain’s ceramics heartland

All sources agree on the £120 million amount and the £60 million split, but no source gives the exact number of jobs secured. Eligibility criteria, application dates and allocation rules will be released in the summer.

UK Government Injects £120 Million to Rescue Ceramics Sector

• “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.” — Rob Flello, Chief Executive, Ceramics UK

Ceramics UK welcomes Government’s £120 million industry support package

• “He said: "This scheme will be the boldest intervention into ceramics and the largest opportunity that government has presented to ceramics for well over a generation.” — Peter Kyle, Business Secretary

Stoke-On-Trent

• “This is a hugely welcome step in the right direction and will be reassurance to workers in our chemicals and ceramics industry that Government is finally listening.” — Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Secretary

Government steps in to back long-term resilience of UK’s chemicals and ceramics industries

• “This represents a very welcome support from the government, which I think the whole industry will be very pleased with.” — Iain Martin, Chief Executive, Emma Bridgewater

Potters win £120m rescue as government finally backs Britain’s ceramics heartland