At the start of June I did another Personally Speaking article about how Silicon Stoke, which I spoke about during the general election campaign last year, and Free Trade Deals can ensure an economic recovery post COVID-19 for Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke.
We in the Potteries are the beating heart of the UK ceramics industry. We are pioneers and our goods are unmatched around the world. But too often our brilliant companies cannot export.
If we want to export dinnerware to the U.S. we’re hit with a 28 per cent tariff. Producers also have to jump through hoop after hoop to satisfy U.S. testing requirements despite our own high standards.
A successful trade deal with the U.S. means we could cut tariffs and streamline testing requirements. From NYC to LA we want to see households, restaurants, and canteens eating off ceramics made in Stoke-on-Trent.
Indeed, the industry is already raring to go with Steelite International already endorsing a UK-U.S. trade deal highlighting the benefits for the industry.
As proud as I am of our ceramics industry, I also want to see a Silicon Stoke.
As one of the leading cities in the UK to roll out gigabit broadband, we have the infrastructure in place to be at the heart of the tech revolution. With our brilliant workforce and know-how from Staffordshire and Keele Universities, with their great computing courses, we also have the skills.
Digital services are a growing market around the world. Exports of telecommunications, computer and information services having more than doubled in the last decade. Two-thirds of our service exports were delivered digitally.
We should be looking to attract video game design, TV production, artificial intelligence and robotics firms to the set up in the architecturally pleasing old buildings we have in towns like Burslem.
The buildings would become affordable bases for start-up firms and inexpensive brownfield sites could also be used.
In Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke we have the bulldog spirit and the know-how to bounce back and deliver a better and brighter future for generations to come.
But this will only happen if we embrace our place in the world.
It is up to us, as individuals and businesses, to show we have the appetite and ability to make the best of these opportunities.