Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2022 to Question 23427, and with reference to the conclusion of the Statutory Review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator: 2016-2019 that the existence of the GCA had sent a message to large retailers that their supplier relationships needed to be conducted fairly and in accordance with the Code, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the proposals from Traidcraft Exchange to establish a fashion watchdog.

While the adjudicator model has had some success in raising standards in the groceries sector, there are significant differences between those two industries which calls into question how effectively the model can be transferred.

In the response to the single enforcement body consultation published last year, the government reaffirmed its commitment to continue to engage with the enforcement bodies and industry partners to strengthen our understanding of levels of non-compliance across the garment trade. We will continue to review this issue and consider options to drive up standards across the sector.