The Government has unveiled a new funding package of £120m for the ceramics sector and £350m for strategically important chemicals producers with the aim of revitalising British industry and shoring up the UK’s long-term economic resilience, it reports.

The funding – targeted at strategically important parts of the economy that keep vital everyday UK infrastructure running, support thousands of skilled jobs and protect Britain’s economic security – has been allocated to ‘help firms stay competitive, modernise infrastructure, decarbonise, and transition their energy supplies from gas to electricity.’

The support aims to help progress an industry which the Government recognises has a ‘proud UK heritage’ and is a ‘major local employer in communities from Stoke-on-Trent to Devon.’ Ceramic products are said to be ‘vital’ because of their ‘ability to operate at very high temperatures and resist corrosion.’

The Government has expressed it will work closely with the industry on delivery of the support, with further details to be confirmed shortly in the summer, when applications to the ceramics package are expected to open.

This package will be open to eligible UK manufacturers across subsectors including refractory products, clay building materials, household ceramics and technical ceramics.