Minister's pledge over Wedgwood

Pat McFadden met union members at the factory

A government minister has said everything possible must be done to find a buyer for Waterford Wedgwood.

Department for Business Minister Pat McFadden met representatives of the Unity union in Stoke-on-Trent, where 600 people work at the Barlaston plant.

The iconic ceramics manufacturer went into administration last week and earlier this week confirmed it was making 367 staff redundant.

US private equity firm KPS Capital is in talks to buy the company.

'Difficult time'

The company employs about 1,900 people in the UK.

Mr McFadden said: "This is a difficult time for everyone involved with Wedgwood.

"Everything possible must be done to find a buyer for the company, minimise job losses and help people made redundant into new jobs."

He said the government would work together with unions to help workers made redundant by the firm.

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