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Advanced Ceramics Industry: North Staffordshire
03 December 2025
Lead MP
Allison Gardner
Stoke-on-Trent South
Lab
Responding Minister
Chris McDonald
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmployment
Word Count: 4781
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Allison Gardner raised concerns about advanced ceramics industry: north staffordshire in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Dr Gardner asks how SMEs can access defence funding projects and outlines Lucideon's proposal to establish sovereign capability for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), which would boost local research and development and high-value jobs, while positioning the UK as a leader in advanced materials technology.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The advanced ceramics industry plays a critical but often discreet role in manufacturing specialist components for key industries such as defence, nuclear energy, electronics and aerospace. North Staffordshire is home to world-leading companies like Mantec, Ross Ceramics and Lucideon that are vital for the UK’s supply chain.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Supports the need to connect heritage and future in the ceramics industry, advocating for apprenticeships and education opportunities. Supported the call for a bespoke ceramics strategy and emphasized its benefits for Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent, and the east Midlands.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Supports the idea of sharing innovation benefits more broadly across the ceramics sector and highlights the potential for collaborative R&D to reduce risks for SMEs.
Chris McDonald
SNP
Newton Abbott
Elaborated on commitments to fair trade within free trade agreements, discussed challenges for local ceramics firms from cheap imports, and committed to monitoring companies' engagement with the Trade Remedies Authority.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Emphasises the importance of sovereign capability to ensure national security and independence from foreign powers for critical materials. Emphasises the need for government support to ensure that tableware companies have a level playing field in terms of energy costs.
James Gardner
Lab
Bolton West
Asked if the Government would help prevent China-dumping and mentioned GMB's campaign to stop foreign imports damaging British-made products.
Jonathan Gardner
Con
Stoke-on-Trent North
Agrees with the lead MP about the potential for north Staffordshire to become a leader in advanced ceramics. Highlights the economic growth potential and importance of cross-working between traditional and advanced ceramics.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Adds Leicestershire as an area important for the ceramics industry, supporting Dr Gardner's points. Asked for an expansion of the supercharger scheme for current industrial use by ceramics firms to help with competitiveness and suggested a bespoke cross-departmental strategy. Suggested looking at the lesser duty rule under which products imported from China or the EU face higher tariffs compared to in the UK.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlights the need for opportunities in apprenticeships and education in STEM fields to support the growth of the ceramics industry.
Government Response
Chris McDonald
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Government Response
Acknowledged the challenges faced by the ceramics industry due to high electricity prices. Announced an uplift in the network charging compensation scheme from 60% to 90%. Committed to working closely with Ceramics UK to extend eligibility for the scheme before 2026 review and encouraged participation in the consultation for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. Discussed trade agreements with India and the Gulf Cooperation Council, committed to continuing engagement with ceramics companies regarding the Trade Remedies Authority, mentioned decarbonisation efforts and industry-academia collaboration, engaged with requests for further innovation in defence supply chains, acknowledged north Staffordshire's potential as a UK centre for ceramics, expressed willingness to attend roundtable discussions, and emphasised the importance of advanced ceramics for industrial strategy.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.