The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) and the British Fashion Council (BFC) held the first in a series of events on March 9th to provide an update on what the two organisations are doing to represent the sector to government, particularly in light of the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit. The forum, which will be held regularly, will help to identify key priorities for the industry and shape UKFT and BFC’s interactions with government both in the short and long term.

According to research commissioned by the BFC last summer, the COVID-19 recession could be twice as hard on the fashion sector compared to the UK overall. UKFT research has identified that overall job losses in manufacturing will be around 15-20%.

The two organisations are closely aligned in three areas: supporting people and talent, helping businesses to trade, and shaping the sustainable future of the UK fashion and textile industry.

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said: “A large part of what UKFT and BFC do is to support the industry with changes to government policy that will impact fashion and textile businesses, whether that be to gather evidence of impact to advocate change, minimise any negative impacts, or maximise opportunities.

“As a large and complex industry, it is important that we work together to represent the interests of UK fashion and textiles to secure the best trading environment for our sector.”

Caroline Rush, CEO of BFC, said: “We have launched this forum to share with the industry the conversations about issues we are engaged in, but also how collectively we work with Government on industrial strategy and future proofing the industry from making trade with the EU work, restarting retail, tourism to a sustainable fashion future.”

The forum was attended by fashion brands and textile manufacturers, designers, agents, retailers and suppliers, as well as representatives from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), Department for International Trade (DIT), Department for Business, Environment and Industry Strategy (BEIS), and the Mayor of London’s team.

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