We are delighted to share some updates from Q1 2025 that underline our work to build a stronger UK fashion and textile industry.

UKFT Q1 2025 – REPORT

Highlights from Q1 2025 include:

Voice of the industry: Advocacy & policy engagement

• Advocated for investment in the UK fashion and textile industry through the UK Government’s Spending Review and the House of Lords Creative Industries debate.

• Raised concerns about the Employment Rights Bill in a joint letter to Ministers.

• Responded to the UK Defence Strategy, highlighting sourcing opportunities.

• Contributed to the Education Committee’s Call for Evidence on Further Education and Skills.

• Published articles on key industry issues: procurement reform, PEM Convention accession impact, and the importance of paid internships.

Membership services & industry support

• Provided support encompassing business essentials, sustainability, international trade, skills, compliance and manufacturing.

• Hosted webinars on climate change agreements and currency risks.

• Shared industry trend information, business updates, compliance guidance and insights on CPTPP & EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR).

• Launched a new membership category for textile reuse and recycling businesses, reinforcing sustainability efforts.

International Business

• Promoted the sector at international events: Pitti Uomo, Paris Men’s Fashion Week, Chicago Collective, Milano Unica, Première Vision, VIATT, JITAC, and Paris Women’s Fashion Week.

• Supported businesses in navigating global markets, trade agreements and regulations.

• Advocated for increased funding for trade shows and market insights.

• Influenced trade policy reviews and engaged MPs on business and trade.

• Progress: new fashion resource at the British Embassy in Tokyo and an upcoming Japan trade mission.

• Addressing sector concerns: Ongoing guidance on the US election impact on global trade, De Minimis exception uncertainty and potential mandatory Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) labelling from 2030.

Skills & Training

We made progress with key interventions and initiatives to address critical skills gaps in our industry and promote the sector to new entrants. These include:

• Production Sewing Machinist (PSM) Programme: Flexible online training in industrial sewing and employability skills.

• HM Prison PSM Project: Training prison instructors and linking ex-offenders with employment opportunities.

• Careers Events & Job Fairs: Promoting industry careers.

• Licence to Sew Programme: Addressing local manufacturing skills gaps in partnership with West Lancashire Borough Council and The Sewing Rooms.

• Bursary Programmes: MADE IT, New Talent, and Young Textile Technician bursaries providing financial support and hands-on training.

Sustainability & Innovation

• As part of our ACT UK Project, we launched reports on post-consumer textile collection trials, ATSP business case and circular textiles ecosystem vision.

As part of Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), we:

• Piloted AI-driven solutions with a major retailer to reduce fabric waste and optimize order allocation.
• Collaborated with a university and technology center on automation and robotics in UK textile manufacturing, leading to the Advancing Automation and Robotics for Sustainable Manufacturing report.
• Published the Circular Manufacturing report, exploring circular initiatives and an onshore denim finishing pilot.
• Hosted workshops leading to the Responsible Supply Chains report, offering recommendations for boosting domestic production and ethical compliance.

Keep reading to learn more about these exciting initiatives and feel free to get in touch out if there are further ways we can help you. Thank you for your ongoing support!

UKFT Q1 2025 – REPORT

For member access to webinars, resources and other support, please email info@ukft.org.

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