Industry takes key messages to the heart of government at Ceramics UK event
Ceramics UK members were given a unique opportunity to discuss frontline issues in their businesses, and the wider sector, directly with parliamentarians at an exclusive event held at the House of Commons.
Representatives from across Ceramics UK’s membership, including clay brick, gift and tableware, refractories, advanced ceramics, suppliers and sanitaryware manufacturers took advantage of the trade association’s parliamentary dinner to engage with government representatives.
Hosted by Gareth Snell MP and sponsored by AMRICC, this was the second parliamentary event to take place in 2025, following the successful launch of the initiative by Ceramics UK earlier this year.
Offering meaningful exposure and direct engagement with key parliamentarians, each member had the opportunity to speak during the course of the evening to highlight the challenges and opportunities they faced.
Key issues raised included spiralling energy costs and the lack of a level playing field with international goods.
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, was the guest speaker and other parliamentarians in attendance included David Williams MP, Linsey Farnsworth MP, and Amanda Hack MP, who attended with members from their constituencies.
Rob Flello, Chief Executive of Ceramics UK, said: “The evening offered a unique opportunity for members to state really clearly the challenges that our industry faces, as well as the opportunities.
“They set out the situation where government can step up and put in place the infrastructure, the support, the help, the guidance needed to thrive.
“With these measures in place, our UK ceramic sector can go from strength-to-strength, building a platform for national and international growth to enable this vital industry to thrive.”
Rt Hon Liam Bryne MP said: “Events like this are absolutely critical in bringing frontline realities from the private sector, together with politicians who can make an impact here in Parliament.
“We cannot get the legislation right without conversations like those held here.
“We've heard loud and clear some really strong messages from industry leaders.
“Energy costs are absolutely top of the list, but we've also heard about the need to level the playing field and address unfair competition from abroad.
“We also discussed the real opportunities for the industry to innovate, to grow and to contribute to our economic security and help us project that UK soft power around the world for brands that people love.”
Sebastian Lazell, CEO of the Denby Group, was one of the members at the event. He said: “There are always many messages to share, but at the heart of it, we're a 200-year-old brand and business that is a key part of the government's growth agenda, exporting ‘Made in England’ products to countries all across the world.
“However, in these challenging economic times, we really need help and support on the very high cost of energy, both electricity and gas, so that there is a level playing field with competitors across the world who are better supported and subsidised in their ceramics and tableware industry by their governments.
“If we have a level playing field with that level of support, our goods will win day after day, achieving more customers, more business and more growth for Britain, but we need that help and we need it now because we have the most expensive industry energy costs anywhere in the world and it's really hurting.”
Last month Ceramics UK expressed disappointment that the multi-billion pound sector had not been acknowledged in the Government’s Industrial Strategy,
Rob Flello, Chief Executive of Ceramics UK, said: “The UK ceramics sector is a world-leader in the production of both traditional and advanced ceramic materials, supporting industries ranging from giftware through to aerospace, defence, construction, clean energy and electronics.
“It contributes more than £2 billion directly to the UK economy annually and directly employs approximately 20,000 people as well as enabling tens of thousands of other jobs from advanced manufacturing, through steel and glass workers, to bricklayers and more besides.
“We need to get the message across about its huge significance to the UK economy and this event in parliament offered a unique opportunity for members to state really clearly the challenges that our industry faces, as well as the opportunities.
“They set out the situation where government can step up and put in place the infrastructure, the support, the help, the guidance needed to thrive.
“With these measures in place, our UK ceramic sector can go from strength-to-strength, building a platform for national and international growth to enable this vital industry to thrive.”




Date Posted: 15th July 2025