Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help the fashion industry secure skilled workers to employ.

The Government is increasing skills investment by a total over the Parliament of £3.8bn by 2024-25. Officials are working with stakeholders including the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and UK fashion and Textiles association, to accelerate the talent pipeline, such as the Production Sewing Machinists Skills bootcamp in Greater Manchester.

Where employers cannot get the skills they need in the domestic labour market, it is appropriate that they make the most of the points-based immigration system to access talent from around the world, including the Skilled Worker Visa. We also consider other important routes to increasing employers' access to skills, including addressing non-skill barriers to work such as childcare.