Burleigh Pottery 'putting Stoke-on-Trent on map' as Boris Johnson tries out £41 cup and saucer
An historic pottery manufacturer revealed how it is putting Stoke-on-Trent on the global map during a ministerial visit earlier today. Burleigh Pottery showcased its export success when it welcomed International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to its Middleport base this afternoon.
The 171-year-old company – which is renowned for its traditional manufacturing processes – recorded a turnover of £2.5 million last year, after its products were sold into 82 countries including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Burleigh managing director Jim Norman accompanied Ms Trevelyan on a tour of the facilities during her visit, which came hours after Boris Johnson hosted a cabinet meeting in Stoke-on-Trent. During the visit, the Prime Minister was photographed sipping tea from a Burleigh Pottery-made Blue Calico cup and saucer which retails for £41.
Mr Norman said: "Burleigh has exported to global markets since it's inception in 1851 and we are keen to continue benefiting from free trade around the world. It has been fantastic to show the Trade Secretary around our pottery, and to thank her and her department for their support and advice that maintains and develops our long-established tradition of exporting."
One of Burleigh's biggest export markets is Japan. The firm enjoyed a 60 per cent growth in exports, worth £250,000, in 2020, following the UK’s free trade agreement with the country – the UK's first major trade deal as an independent trading nation.
And the company's international sales success looks set to continue over the coming years after new free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Trevelyan said: "It is great to see British businesses exporting across the world thanks to our brilliant free trade agreements. Businesses who export support higher paying jobs, and help grow the economy across the UK. Seeing Burleigh succeed shows the high demand for quality British products, and I will continue to champion great British exporting success stories in every sector."
CR :: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/burleigh-pottery-putting-stoke-trent-7072730
Why has Boris Johnson taken his cabinet to Stoke-on-Trent for ‘away day’?
ตอบลบBoris Johnson has taken his cabinet on an “away day” trip to Stoke-on-Trent to discuss the cost of living crisis, hoping to inspire a few new ideas among his ministers.
The prime minister and his top team are making a 300-mile round journey to the Staffordshire town on Thursday as they come under increasing pressure to help hard-pressure families.
But there will be no fact-finding missions to food banks or team-bonding exercises in the Potteries. Ministers are simply staging one of the regular cabinet meetings usually held in Downing Street.
So why Stoke? According to No 10, Mr Johnson is hoping the new environs outside the meeting room window will prompt cabinet members to “bring the benefits of the Queen’s Speech to life”.
Downing Street said ministers discussed how the government’s new legislation agenda can boost the economy and help “level up” the country – highlighting recent funding already given to Stoke.
The symbolic gesture – aimed at reminding voters in “red wall” areas in the north and Midlands that the government cares about them – does at least allow Mr Johnson to avoid the glare of Westminster for an afternoon, as yet more fines are handed out over Partygate.
ตอบลบBut getting outside of the SW1 bubble doesn’t mean any new financial help is on the way for those struggling with soaring bills, in Stoke or anywhere else.
The PM had previously asked called on cabinet colleagues to find cost-free ways to ease pressures on household finances – whether through the promotion of benefits not widely taken up, or easing MOT tests.
Ministers will discuss these cheap alternatives to fiscal firepower, as chancellor Rishi Sunak keeps his cards close to his chest about any big plans he has ahead of the Autumn Budget.
In his opening remarks during Thursday’s meeting, the PM urged ministers to “make sure we use all our ingenuity” and “all our compassion” to help people struggling with living costs – saying he was keen on “cutting the cost of energy”.
There are signs No 10 and the Treasury are changing their tune on a windfall tax on oil and gas company profits, with the idea reportedly “back on the table”.
Prior to the big trip to Stoke, Mr Sunak told the BBC on Thursday was “pragmatic” about the idea as a possible way to raise money despite being “not naturally attracted” to the concept.
“There’s some people who think windfall taxes can never be the answer, and then there are other people who think windfall taxes are an easy, quick, simple answer to solve every problem,” he said. “I’m not in either of those schools of thought, I’m pragmatic about it.”
And Mr Johnson refused to rule out a levy on the profits of fossil fuel companies. It follows an admission by BP chief executive Bernard Looney, who said his firm’s investment plans would not be affected by a windfall tax.
The prime minister suggested during an LBC interview that while he still does not “like” such taxes because of the impact on investment, it is something that will have to be considered.
ตอบลบPressed on Mr Looney’s comments by host Nick Ferrari, Mr Johnson said: “Well, you know, then we’ll have to look it.”
The PM added: “I don’t like them. I didn’t think they’re the right thing. I don’t think they’re the right way forward. I want those companies to make big, big investments.”
Mr Johnson also suggested on Thursday that the government will be coming forward with more assistance for hard-pressed families in July. “There is more coming down the track. July and so on,” he said.
Extra financial help on the way, or only the cost-free initiatives from various departments?
The prime minister did not say – though he urged people to checks which benefits they might be eligible for. “What people don’t realise is that actually there is some help that is not being taken up.”
Right on cue for the trip to Stoke-on-Trent, new analysis by Bloomberg finds that the levelling up push has largely failed to reduce regional inequality gap since 2019.
The salary gap between the south-east, London and the rest is widening in most places, while public spending per head has fallen behind London in every region of England.
Stoke is not the only place ministers are going today. Separate from the cabinet meeting in Stoke, ministers are set to visit communities and businesses across the west of England, Midlands and Wales.
The prime minister is heading off to visit a sports facility in Birmingham being readied for the Commonwealth Games.
Burleigh Pottery 'putting Stoke-on-Trent on map' as Boris Johnson tries out £41 cup and saucer
ตอบลบInternational Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was seen drinking from a Burleigh cup and saucer (Image: PA)
An historic pottery manufacturer revealed how it is putting Stoke-on-Trent on the global map during a ministerial visit earlier today. Burleigh Pottery showcased its export success when it welcomed International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to its Middleport base this afternoon.
The 171-year-old company – which is renowned for its traditional manufacturing processes – recorded a turnover of £2.5 million last year, after its products were sold into 82 countries including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.
Burleigh managing director Jim Norman accompanied Ms Trevelyan on a tour of the facilities during her visit, which came hours after Boris Johnson hosted a cabinet meeting in Stoke-on-Trent. During the visit, the Prime Minister was photographed sipping tea from a Burleigh Pottery-made Blue Calico cup and saucer which retails for £41.
Mr Norman said: "Burleigh has exported to global markets since it's inception in 1851 and we are keen to continue benefiting from free trade around the world. It has been fantastic to show the Trade Secretary around our pottery, and to thank her and her department for their support and advice that maintains and develops our long-established tradition of exporting."
One of Burleigh's biggest export markets is Japan. The firm enjoyed a 60 per cent growth in exports, worth £250,000, in 2020, following the UK’s free trade agreement with the country – the UK's first major trade deal as an independent trading nation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson drinks from a cup as he talks to local business people after a regional cabinet meeting at Middleport Pottery (Image: PA)
And the company's international sales success looks set to continue over the coming years after new free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Trevelyan said: "It is great to see British businesses exporting across the world thanks to our brilliant free trade agreements. Businesses who export support higher paying jobs, and help grow the economy across the UK. Seeing Burleigh succeed shows the high demand for quality British products, and I will continue to champion great British exporting success stories in every sector."
CR :: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/burleigh-pottery-putting-stoke-trent-7072730