Top Government ministers descended on Stoke-on-Trent today as Boris Johnson hosted an 'away day' in the Potteries.
The Prime Minister held a cabinet meeting in the city this morning, attended by senior government figures – including Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.
The meeting aimed to highlight the 'levelling up' opportunities in the city and outline what the government is doing to tackle the rising cost of living.
MPs then carried out a number of ministerial visits to various locations in the city, including Churchill China, Burleigh Pottery, Alton Towers and Stoke-on-Trent College.
During his visit to the city, Boris Johnson told StokeonTrentLive: "In the short term, as we deal with the impacts of Covid on the global economy, we've got to help people with the cost of living and there's all sorts of things we're doing to get people through this particular period, helping with their energy costs, their food costs – there's £9.1 billion that we're putting into energy alone.
"But that's just money to help people right now. What we also need to do, and this is where levelling up comes in, we need to make sure that we're putting in the things that will deliver growth and prosperity for the long-term. And that is all about jobs."
The Prime Minister added: "But the best way to get through an economic period like this one is to have high skill, high wage jobs. We're seeing great companies here in Stoke-on-Trent doing so well, they not only hired people last year but they want to hire more.
"I'm not going to pretend that this period isn't going to have its challenges. Because it certainly is. But we can get through it in just the way we got through Covid. When you look at what's going to happen here in Stoke-on-Trent – this is a former industrial heartland of the UK, and it's going to be again, in many ways it is."
Elsewhere, International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan visited historic pottery firm Burleigh, which is based in Middleport, to see how Government trade deals are helping the company to sell its products around the world.
The 171-year-old business – which turned over £2.5 million last year – sold its products into 82 countries in 2021.
Managing director Jim Norman told Ms Trevelyan that the company's recent export success was only possible due to the new free trade deals which have been negotiated with Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
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 today and to thank her and her department for their support and advice that maintains and develops our long-established tradition of exporting."
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."
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Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey helped to launch Alton Towers' summer recruitment campaign during her visit to the popular theme park.
The Alton-based attraction is currently recruiting 300 workers ahead of its peak summer holiday period. Vacancies include ride hosts and operators, food and beverage roles, housekeeping and hotel staff.
Ms Coffey said: "It has been great to meet people who have started work at Alton Towers in the past month. They have still got 300 jobs to fill and hospitality is a great industry.
"One of the things that's really impressed me today is how flexible Alton Towers is as an employer, and how keen they are to invest in people. The tourism offering is fantastic around this whole area."
