‘We have been overlooked’: UK fashion industry ‘in jeopardy’ without urgent government support

More than 400 industry figures have signed open letter, including Twiggy and Katharine Hamnett

(Getty Images)

The UK fashion industry has written an open letter to the prime minister calling for urgent support, claiming that post-Brexit trade restrictions threaten its survival.

More than 400 leading figures have signed the letter, including Twiggy and Katherine Hamnett, which claims that the fashion industry has “been disregarded in this deal".

The letter, which is being presented on Tuesday, claims that the industry’s concerns have been “overlooked” and calls for an urgent meeting with the government.

One of the primary concerns outlined in the letter is the lack of frictionless trade now that the UK has left the customs union and the bloc’s single market, something that has already resulted in several firms relocating to the EU.

"Without urgent attention, these issues will jeopardise the immediate and long term future of the sector," it states before going on to stress the extent of the industry’s contribution to the UK economy, reading that it contributes "more to UK GDP than fishing, music, film and motor industries combined". 

It continues: "Fishing contributes as much to the UK economy as East London does from the fashion and textile industry, employing the same workforce as just one of the many high street retailers currently facing liquidation".

The letter comes after Samantha Cameron, who runs the brand Cefinn, said that she was finding post-Brexit trading with the EU “challenging” as a small fashion business.

Speaking on BBC’s Woman’s Hour, the wife of former prime minister David Cameron, who implemented the 2016 Brexit referendum, explained: "It is frustrating. The majority of our business is in the UK, and we do business in America. 

"But we did have a bit of EU business and obviously you’d like to grow it because it’s easy, it’s on your doorstep. But unless some of the expense and cost of doing that is looked at, it will be challenging and we might have to look elsewhere or focus on other areas.”

A government spokesperson told the BBC: "We are working closely with businesses in the fashion industry to ensure they get the support they need to trade effectively with Europe, and seize new opportunities as we strike trade deals with the world's fastest growing markets."

"We are aware that some businesses are facing challenges with specific aspects of our new trading relationship with the EU. To this end, we are operating export helplines, running webinars with policy experts and offering businesses support via our network of 300 international trade advisers. This is on top of the millions we have invested to expand the customs intermediaries sector."

The Independent has contacted the government’s department for business, energy and industrial strategy for comment.