Zero tariffs would devastate industry, put thousands of skilled jobs at risk and destroy proud British trade
GMB, the ceramics union, has warned the Conservative’s zero tariffs plan will smash the potteries to pieces.
Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, has indicated he, wants a move to zero tariffs in as many areas as possible in the event of a no deal Brexit.
This plan to have no taxes on goods coming into the country would leave the ceramics industry with no protections against cheap, poor quality imports flooding in from places like China.
We need to make sure the Conservative Party and this Brexit mess don’t smash our ceramics industry to pieces.
Jude Brimble, GMB National Secretary.
It would be impossible for the UK ceramics sector to be able to compete and would distort the market.
The Government’s zero tariffs plan would be put thousands of jobs at risk and destroy the ceramics industry – as well as many others.
Jude Brimble, GMB National Secretary, said:
“Put simply, zero tariffs would devastate the ceramics industry, putting thousands of highly skilled jobs at risk and destroying a proud British trade with a long and rich heritage.
“The Potteries have defied the odds to grow since the recession – and are now at the forefront of innovation and design.
“The truth is the Government has failed to engage and consult in a meaningful way since the Brexit vote - they could have tested the impact that zero tariffs would have across different manufacturing sectors.
“They have not done this and to suddenly announce that zero tariffs would apply in the ceramics sector is reckless in the extreme.
“GMB urges the Government to listen and act swiftly to give the reassurances that the Potteries desperately need.
“We need to make sure the Conservative Party and this Brexit mess don’t smash our ceramics industry to pieces.”
