Protecting UK Ceramics: Our Call to Government Ahead of the Budget
With the November Budget fast approaching, we are stepping up efforts to ensure the Government listens to, and acts on, the needs of the UK ceramics sector.
Our industry supports over 20,000 skilled jobs and contributes more than £2 billion to the UK economy. Yet right now, ceramics manufacturers face mounting pressures: soaring energy costs, unfair international competition, and the high cost of transitioning to net zero.
These challenges can threaten the future of British manufacturing itself.
To highlight what’s at stake, we’ve launched a new video series exploring critical issues affecting our members and the communities they support, from energy pricing and trade policy to decarbonisation and industrial strategy.
In the first video, Ceramics UK CEO Rob Flello discusses why the potential of proposed gas levies would, in fact, place yet another burden on energy-intensive industries and risk pushing production overseas.
This is a moment for action. The UK ceramics industry is world-class, and it deserves fair policies that allow it to compete, grow, and continue delivering excellence.
In our second video instalment, Rob delves into the Supercharger Scheme where only 1 in 10 of Ceramics UK member manufacturers currently qualify for relief in it’s current format.
Small changes can create big opportunities for our vital sector without costing Government a penny – watch this video to learn more.
Our high-energy ceramics industry is asking the tough questions: Where’s the alternative infrastructure for switching fuels? Where’s the incentive, the positive pull, the options?
We need a level playing field to support UK ceramic manufacturers and keep products made here in Britain. Small changes now can protect jobs, drive innovation, and secure our future.
Watch the clip and join the conversation. Let’s make British manufacturing competitive again.
In this video clip we’re talking about the impact of proposed changes to the Landfill Tax.
The ceramics sector is closely tied to clay quarrying. When quarries are depleted, Ceramics UK member manufacturers are committed to restoring them into thriving natural spaces. But the government’s plans to significantly increase landfill tax on inert, safe materials risk making this process far more difficult.
The consequences?
• Slower quarry restoration
• Reduced landfill tax revenue for government
• Increased risk of improper disposal and fly tipping
• Added pressure on a critical UK manufacturing sector
We fully support fair taxation and strong environmental standards, but treating inert materials the same as polluting waste simply doesn’t make sense. Our ask is simple: reconsider this policy, work with industry, and help keep ceramics manufacturing here in the UK rather than pushing it offshore.
Watch the full video with Ceramics UK CEO Rob Flello to hear why this matters for our sector, our environment, and the broader economy.
Our 5th Ask to Government ahead of tomorrow’s Autumn Budget announcement is here and this time we are tackling the growing challenge of business rates for UK manufacturers.
Business rates affect everyone, but for sectors like ceramics, where factories have large physical footprints, the impact is far greater. Instead of addressing the imbalance between major online retailers and traditional businesses directly, proposed changes risk placing even heavier costs on manufacturers who are already under pressure.
For our sector, this could mean:
• Significant increases in business rate bills
• Additional barriers to staying competitive
• A risk of pushing UK manufacturing offshore
• Fewer incentives to maintain large, productive factory sites
Our message is straightforward: Government must work with industry, not against it. Don’t penalise large manufacturers that play a vital role in the UK economy. Support them. Engage with them. Help keep production onshore.
Watch the full video to hear why this issue matters now more than ever.
Published: 17th November 2025