Fashion Roundtable has formally requested a high-level meeting with the UK Prime Minister to discuss the integration of the domestic garment sector into the “Number 10 North” initiative. The industry body argues that public procurement represents the most efficient mechanism to realize government pledges regarding decentralization and regional reindustrialization. By focusing on domestic contracts, the government can effectively rebalance power away from Whitehall toward regional manufacturing hubs.
Proposed Measures for Onshoring and Policy Cohesion
The organization is specifically advocating for two primary interventions. First, it calls for the introduction of onshoring textiles requirements within public contracts, starting specifically with uniforms for the National Health Service (NHS) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Second, Fashion Roundtable is seeking the creation of a dedicated manufacturing and textiles task force. This body would be designed to unify fragmented policies across various departments, including the Cabinet Office, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Economic Impact and the Case for UK Fashion Industry Growth
Current data highlights that the UK fashion industry contributes approximately £62 billion to the national GDP while supporting 1.3 million jobs. Despite this significant economic footprint, the organization suggests that the potential for UK fashion industry growth through strategic public procurement remains largely untapped. A recent report published by Fashion Roundtable in partnership with the University of Birmingham indicates that the primary obstacle facing domestic factories is not a lack of expertise but rather a systemic policy gap.
The sector currently falls between creative industries and traditional manufacturing, leaving it exposed to short-term interventions and weak coordination across national and local levels. The organization notes that UK textile manufacturing capacity is often overlooked, leading to missed economic opportunities.
Lessons from Procurement Fragmentation
The advocacy for onshoring textiles is further supported by findings from the July 2026 Covid Inquiry Report. That document revealed that approximately £10 billion in public funds was wasted on substandard or excessive PPE sourced from international suppliers, despite the fact that domestic manufacturers had already mapped their capacity to produce these goods.
Furthermore, Fashion Roundtable points to international examples to illustrate the benefits of domestic production. Research from the Union des Industries Textiles indicates that “Made in France” goods retain up to 84% of their value locally, whereas imported items retain only about 35%. This evidence underscores the potential for UK textile manufacturing to drive significant domestic value and support UK fashion industry growth.
The letter builds upon a decade of advocacy regarding reindustrialization. It references past support from Chris Bryant, currently the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who has previously emphasized the importance of British service members wearing domestically produced uniforms. The UK fashion industry now looks toward the new government leadership to align national strategy with these established economic goals.
