A number of MPs, including the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy, visited British Glass member NSG Pilkington to discuss the growing impact of soaring energy and carbon costs on the UK glass industry.

Jonathan Reynolds MP was joined at Pilkington’s Greengate Works site by Shadow Minister for Energy and Manufacturing Bill Esterson MP and local MP for St Helens South and Whiston Marie Rimmer for talks surrounding the ongoing crisis and a tour of the glass making facilities.

Following the visit, Mr Reynolds MP announced measures from Labour to address the energy crisis, which has seen manufacturer’s gas and energy bills quadruple and triple respectively, including the creation of a £600 million contingency fund.

Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy said: “Soaring energy bills, a wave of cancellations and crippling inflation have left British firms unnecessarily on the brink. The Government has been asleep at the wheel, with British firms, especially those energy-intensive businesses, paying the price."

“Labour’s plan will help consumers and businesses weather this crisis, and we will fix the broken energy market to support British businesses to prosper.”

British Glass CEO Dave Dalton said: “Government inaction is only deepening the impact on the glass industry and other energy intensive industries, so it is great to see the Shadow Secretary for Business and Industrial Strategy and other ministers taking our warnings seriously.

“We appreciate the Rt Hon Mr Reynolds MP, Mr Esterson MP and Ms Rimmer MP for taking the time to engage with our members and see for themselves the very real threat posed by the energy crisis and just how important glass manufacturers are to the UK economy.”

www.britglass.org.uk

Image: Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy Jonathan Reynolds at Pilkington UK's Greengate Works site