To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with the British Ceramic Confederation on the effect of Government policy on freeports on UK ceramic manufacturing.
Answered on
31 March 2021
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met with the British Ceramics Confederation (BCC) on a number of occasions and discussed a range of issues relevant to the ceramics sector.
My Noble Friend Lord Grimstone has met with the BCC on 3 occasions since January. The most recent meeting was an Industry Roundtable on 8 March where EU Exit, COVID-19 and Net Zero were all discussed.
Freeports were not raised in these meetings. The Government continues to engage on topics the industry deems to be of interest.