For centuries, the UK was known a world leader in garment and textiles production. We retain this global reputation based on quality and craftmanship. Every region has its speciality from Scottish tweed and Yorkshire Wool. And from Savile Row to Brick Lane our capital city is synonymous with fashion through the decades.
People come from all over the world to shop here, and many come to study: fifty-five UK universities offer fashion and textiles courses. Nothing says more about our place in global culture.
The rapid rise of fast fashion encouraged outsourcing and offshoring. But growing awareness of environmental and social issues in fashion has sparked a revival in the UK industry. Today, the Government has a chance to support slow, ethical fashion and invest in homegrown talent and skills.
That’s why I sponsored a Westminster Hall Debate about onshoring fashion and textiles this week.
Last month I sponsored a debate on food inflation and the cost of living. Some might think that a debate about onshoring fashion is a completely different topic.
But they both go the heart of who I am as a Labour MP, what I came into politics to do and the kind of country that we need to be. We need an inclusive economy, one that works for everyone. Where work pays and whether you are a young person starting out or a parent returning to work, you have access to skilled jobs, training and a bright future for you and your family.
Onshoring in the fashion and textiles industry could unlock £3.1 billion in GDP, 64,000 new jobs and £1.2 billion in tax receipts.
I was so pleased that at last November’s Budget, the Chancellor announced funding to make training for under-25s apprenticeships completely free for small and medium sized enterprises. There was also an increase in the minimum wage for 18-20 year olds from April 2026, to over £10 an hour for the first time.
The Budget also included new measures to stop overseas online firms from undercutting UK bricks and mortar businesses by ensuring that customs duty applies to parcels of any value.
What else can the Government do to help?
The Procurement Act 2023 enables public bodies to procure in a way that supports the economic needs of the communities they serve, rather than having pounds, shillings and pence as the sole consideration.
One example is uniforms – whether it is for prison officers, the police, military personnel or any other public service. Britain is a global leader in camouflage fabric production. Yet, the majority of military uniforms are manufactured overseas. There is a lot of flag waving in politics at the moment, but isn’t true patriotism about making sure young people have a secure future with opportunities for skilled jobs?
The Government could also look at business practices and how they affect small firms. We need to ensure that there is a level playing field. The Competition and Markets Authority has published guidance for fashion businesses making ‘green claims’ about their garments. We need to ensure that the online giants comply with all of the regulations and are not undercutting UK enterprises with opaque information about how they source their products.
There are costs to producing in the UK, right? But there are also so many benefits.
With the Government’s new flagship Employment Rights Act you can assure your customers of world leading workers’ rights and ethical employment standards. Every garment you produce can not only say “Made in the UK” but “Made in the UK under fair conditions”.
There is a huge potential for recycled garments that could set the UK apart as the global capital of truly sustainable fashion.
Of course, by manufacturing in the UK you are also a vital part of our towns and cities. You create jobs directly and indirectly and money earned stays in local communities, helping every single family to thrive.
Most of all, let’s kick-start the discussion. With the industry and the government working together we can focus on what is important: making the UK the global home of sustainable fashion, delivering highly skilled jobs and creating a truly inclusive economy that works for everyone.
