Government support for the ceramics industry
This Debate Pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on Government support for the ceramics industry to be held on Tuesday 8 March at 4:30pm in Westminster Hall. The Member in charge of the debate is Tristram Hunt MP. Debate Packs are produced quickly after the announcement of parliamentary business. They are intended to provide a summary or overview of the issue being debated and identify relevant briefings and useful documents, including press and parliamentary material. More detailed briefing can be prepared for Members on request to the Library.
The ceramics industry in the UK is small, employing around 8,000 people down from 9,000 in 2009.
The industry contributed £550 million to economic output in 2014, up since 2012, but down slightly compared with output in 2009.
The number of businesses has fallen more significantly since 2009. There are currently 350 ceramic manufacturing businesses in the UK, down from 470 in 2009.
The ceramics industry is concentrated in the West Midlands, which includes Staffordshire and the Potteries.