‘Brexit decimates fashion’ say 400 industry leaders

In a letter to the UK Prime Minister signed by 400 leaders of the fashion industry, fears of “decimation of the fashion industry by the Brexit trade deal” are expressed.

“The UK’s fashion and textile industry, which contributes £35 billion to UK GDP and employs almost 1 million people, is at real risk,” the letter says.

“Ours’ is a thriving industry, based on global leadership, complex supply chains and above all a deeply interconnected relationship with our overseas colleagues. The deal done with the EU has a gaping hole where promised free movement for goods and services for all creatives, including the fashion and textiles sector, should be. Yet we have been disregarded in this deal and our concerns overlooked in current policy decisions.”

The letter complains about Brexit restrictions.

“Everyone working across the EU, our largest trading partner for imports and exports, will now need costly work permits for each of the member states they visit and a mountain of paperwork for their products and equipment. This is a step backwards and out of touch with the realities of how the sector works. From travelling to the EU for trade shows to large value shoots and shows happening here in the UK, red tape delays and costs are impacting our industry already, with work relocating to the EU,” the letter continued

 For the sake of UK fashion brands needing to work across Europe and for and for UK shows and shoots wishing to host them, the deal should be reciprocal, the letter points out.

“For the sake of UK fashion manufacturing, we urge the Government to add garment workers to the Shortage Occupation Visa List, at least until the relevant T Levels are rolled out in September 2023, to mitigate against the thousands of vacancies currently unfilled in our UK factories. To boost UK manufacturing, we need to fill those vacancies and train domicile talent simultaneously.

For the sake of UK retailers, we urge the Government to rescind its decision to stop the VAT Retail Export Scheme, which is forecast to impact all UK retailers who sell to tourists at a loss of more than £3.5 billion worth of tax-free retail sales and up to 180,000 jobs. This will not only impact our retailers but also impact on tourism and travel, both industries who will need support post-pandemic.

For the sake of our fantastic fashion and textile SMEs, who manufacture everything from knitwear to millinery, jewellery to shoes, denim to designer clothes, we urge the Government to support our sector with the same levels of recognition and financial support offered to other industries. We urge the Government to consider the same kinds of tax relief offered to the film industry for brands showing sustainable leadership and innovation with UK manufacturing, in light of the climate crisis,” the letter asks.

The fashion industry leaders called on the Government to negotiate paperwork-free travel in Europe for British creatives, including the fashion and textile industry and their equipment.