Industrial strategy 'vital step' for pottery firms

The government's industrial strategy is a "vital step" in safeguarding the pottery industry, a union has said.

Ministers confirmed on Monday that more than 7,000 businesses would see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027 as part of the 10-year plan.

The announcement came after several firms in Stoke-on-Trent collapsed as the industry was beset by rapidly increasing energy costs and falling sales.

Chris Hoofe, organiser at union GMB, said pottery workers had been looking to Westminster to "defend their livelihoods" and they were "finally seeing action from government".

He added: "This is a vital step to safeguarding our potteries and the tens of thousands of jobs they sustain."

But he said the devil was in the detail and keeping the kilns lit in Stoke-on-Trent was a "challenge for today, not for 24 months' time".

As part of the strategy, the government said about 500 eligible businesses, including in the steel, chemical, ceramics and glass sectors would have their network charges cut.

Those firms currently get a 60% discount through the British Industry Supercharger scheme, which will increase to 90% from 2026.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC the interventions helped the pottery sector and Staffordshire as a whole, including through reducing industrial energy prices, training future workers and creating better access to finance.

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

Royal Stafford and Moorcroft were among the Stoke-on-Trent pottery firms to have collapsed since the start of this year, leading to the loss of more than 100 jobs.

The latter was recently purchased by Will Moorcroft, grandson of founder William Moorcroft, who said he was hoping to rehire at least 30 of the 57 former workers.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.