PRESS RELEASE: Ceramic sector urges Prime Minister Johnson to prioritise UK manufacturing

The British Ceramic Confederation has welcomed the election win for the Conservative party and is urging the new Government to make progress and avoid a no-deal Brexit.The Confederation, which represents 90 members from all sectors of the industry, said now the Conservative Party had achieved a clear mandate, they must end the stalemate which has impacted the economy, jobs and investment.Laura Cohen, Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, said: “A no deal Brexit remains an extremely damaging prospect for our members.“For years we have been lobbying for a deal to prioritise businesses, jobs and investment, and realistically any withdrawal transition must be much longer than the end of 2020.“We need a government that is unashamedly supportive of UK manufacturing to help re-balance the economy, increase GDP and reduce the country’s trade deficit.“The EU represents the UK ceramic industry’s largest export market, so it is vital that British manufacturers have a level-playing field when it comes to regulation.“We also want the threat of unilateral zero import tariffs in a no deal Brexit to be dropped because of the massive trade distortions it would create destroying many manufacturing sectors in Britain.“The new government presents fresh opportunities to engage in on these key matters affecting the UK ceramic manufacturing industry, and we will be working to highlight our members' concerns.” ---ENDS--- For further information please contact: Ciara Jagger, Communications Manager, British Ceramic Confederation, Federation House, Station Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2SA.Tel:  01782 572851 M: 07535 084055   E-mail:  ciaraj@ceramfed.co.uk    www.ceramfed.co.uk Notes to editorsThe British Ceramic Confederation is the trade association for the UK ceramic manufacturing industry, representing the common and collective interests of all sectors of the industry. Its member companies cover the full spectrum of ceramic manufacturing, including the supply of materials, and comprise over 90% of the industry’s manufacturing capacity.