Knives are out as Commons favours Vietnamese imports over Sheffield cutlery

A kitchen budget report handed in to the Commons Administration Committee has prompted a Sheffield lobbying campaign after suggesting £10,000 a year could be saved if Parliament ditched Sheffield silverware and the associating sharpening and replacements costs.

Catering officials say it would cost £72,400 over five years to keep the silver. They note though that a new stainless steel set will cost £17,000 to buy and £6,800 to replace items that go missing.

Sheffield has been linked to cutlery production for hundreds of years, with Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales first referring to the industry in the 14th century, and in 1624 Parliament itself acknowledged Sheffield’s lead role in the cutlery industry with an Act of Incorporation making its leading firms responsible for standards.

Chris Hudson, of Sheffield Cutlery manufacturer Chimo Holdings and a Freeman of The Cutlers Company of Hallamshire, said: “I was amazed and saddened to hear this. There are still world-leading cutlery manufacturers in Sheffield, making tableware to suit every occasion and every budget. The city is renowned worldwide for its cutlery and the Made in Sheffield mark, to many people, actually means ‘the best cutlery you can buy’.

“We are lobbying all Sheffield MPs to reverse the recommendation for the Commons to buy cutlery from Vietnam and to instead buy the best, to buy cutlery Made In Sheffield.”