Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that smaller ceramics manufacturers are able to access support through the £120 million support scheme.

Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) officials are currently designing the Ceramics Industry Support Scheme in close collaboration with the ceramics sector. BIST officials intend to provide further information around application guidance and likely scheme eligibility towards the end of this year, with applications likely opening in early 2027. BIST officials have engaged extensively, including with smaller ceramics manufacturers, to ensure the scheme will be accessible for a wide range of sub-sectors.