Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last met representatives of the footwear industry; when the next meeting is to take place; whether that meeting will include heritage craft makers in the footwear industry; and what plans they have to support the continued making and manufacture of shoes and boots in the United Kingdom.

The Department engages with the British Footwear Association (BFA). The BFA attended a roundtable on 24 April 2024 and are due to attend a roundtable with the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports on 15 October 2024, where there will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the footwear manufacturing sector in the broader context of consumer goods including fashion, textiles, and furniture. The CEO of the BFA attended a Luxury Steering Group with officials to discuss trade promotion opportunities on 18 September 2024.

The Government will introduce a new Industrial Strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth - through securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy.