"I'm a proud Pottery worker. Just like my Dad before me. The most highly-skilled Potters make ceramics in my town and we export them around the globe. But the industry we rely on is dying. Spiralling energy prices - especially gas - mean that UK ceramic firms fork out 875 million pounds in energy costs each year. That's right - almost a billion pounds just on energy costs."
"All while counterfeit products from China have flooded the market, driving down demand for the goods we make. The results are devastating. The government has helped our industry with electricity costs - but we rely on gas. If we do not help industries like ceramics with energy costs now - and invest in their cleaner future - we will keep losing decent, unionised jobs. And when those jobs go, our communities go with them."
UK ceramics firms face annual energy costs estimated at £875 million, up over £330 million since 2020. Analysis indicates energy consumes about 70% of industry turnover (£1.25bn), with regulatory levies about 14% (£150m). Historic prices implied energy made up 55% of turnover in 2020 (~£544.5m). Equivalent Chinese or US manufacturers using the same electricity would pay roughly what UK firms paid five years ago — about 50% less than current UK costs. Spiralling gas prices and counterfeit imports from China are reducing demand and threatening unionised jobs and local communities. GMB plans to demand greater support and lower energy prices.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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