ST HELENS North MP Conor McGinn led a key parliamentary debate on the British glass industry in which the pivotal role the town has played was highlighted.

It was the first House of Commons debate focused on the national glass industry in more than two decades, the last being in March 2001.

Mr McGinn’s adjournment debate took place on Thursday, July 14, on the floor of the House, and received an official response from Greg Hands MP, Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

In his intervention, Mr McGinn praised Britain’s glass industry as a “giant”, citing the £1.3 billion it adds to our economy annually, as well as the 6,000 direct jobs it creates and the approximate 150,000 additional jobs it supports in the supply chain – many of which run through the North West.

Conor McGinn MP

Conor McGinn MP

He outlined that St Helens has always been pivotal to that success and referenced the establishment of the British Cast Plate Glass Company at Ravenhead in 1773, which arguably marked the origin of the British and global glass industry.

In 1826, the St Helens Crown Glass Company was founded by the Pilkington and Greenall families and in 1845, its name was changed to Pilkington Brothers and Mr McGinn said how, fondly known as 'Pilks', it remains "a byword for excellence today".

He also stated that 2022 also marks both the UN’s International Year of Glass, and the 70th anniversary of the revolutionary float glass process which was pioneered by Sir Alastair Pilkington.

Mr McGinn also highlighted St Helens’ role at the forefront of glass-making innovation today, as industry and wider society fight to de-carbonise production and meet climate targets.

Pilkinton Glass was referenced in the debate

Pilkinton Glass was referenced in the debate

He cited the key example of Glass Futures and their partners to create a £54million, 160,000 sq ft Centre of Excellence, in St Helens at the former UG site, for the sustainable manufacture of glass globally.

The project is set to deliver initially 80 new permanent jobs, more than 700 apprenticeship hours and 100 volunteer hours committed to local green projects. Having turned the project’s first sod in February, the facility's construction quickly progressing at the Peasley Cross location.

The Glass Futures site pictured in May, where construction is ongoing

The Glass Futures site pictured in May, where construction is ongoing

In the debate, McGinn also raised some of the big challenges faced today by this energy-intensive industry and that glass manufacturers have seen gas and electricity prices skyrocket as high as quadruple and triple their usual amount respectively over recent months.

He added energy supply, in and of itself, also remains a key concern for industry to function, with any shortages over the coming winter posing serious risks. Mr McGinn also raised the need to keep the industry globally competitive.

He called on Government to address these points, and protect the glass industry through this period. He reiterated Labour’s call for a £600 million contingency fund to do this, a move that would help energy-intensive firms in glass, but also steel, manufacturing and wider industries.

Commenting, Conor McGinn MP said: “I was delighted to lead this important, timely debate on the British glass industry and St Helens’ pivotal role in it.

“Glass has always been ingrained in the fabric of our country, and is what makes Britain great. From the birth of the float process at Pilkington’s in the mid-20th century, to the work we’re doing today with Glass Futures to revolutionise and de-carbonise production, we in St Helens are proud to be at the beating heart of that story.

“Our St Helens glass is the best in Britain, and British glass is the best in the world. Let’s keep it that way, and shout it from the rooftops”.