Clothing: Overseas Trade

(asked on 8th February 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the Government has had with representatives of the fashion industry on tackling the issues that sector has been experiencing at UK borders since 1 January 2021.


Answered by
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage
This question was answered on 11th February 2021

The government recognises the significant contribution of the UK’s world-leading fashion and textiles sector to the UK economy, and is committed to supporting it. The sector delivered £35bn in GVA and 890,000 jobs in 2019, and is an important contributor to the UK’s soft power via events such as London Fashion Week.

We are aware of the challenges the fashion and textiles industry has raised around specific aspects of our new trading relationship with the EU, and we are working closely with the sector to ensure businesses get the support they need.

Officials in my department recently hosted a webinar with the fashion industry to provide guidance and clarity on the new rules for trading with the EU. In addition, my colleague the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has created a DCMS-led working group, which brings together creative sectors’ representatives, including the British Fashion Council, and other key government departments, to look at the issues facing the creative and cultural sectors when working and touring the EU. It will provide clarity regarding the practical steps that need to be taken and will seek to ease movement and facilitate touring as far as circumstances allow.

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