Found: support voluntary action, the UK is considering what framework of policy options could best help reduce textiles

Found: textiles waste and addressing the environmental impacts associated with production and consumption of textiles

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department have taken to steps to support people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the fashion industry with (a) the cost of sending samples and (b) other costs associated with running a small business.

Answered by John Whittingdale

The textiles and fashion industry plays an important role in the UK’s social and cultural heritage, and is a major driver of economic growth - with UK designers and manufacturers exporting around the world. Recognising this contribution, HM Treasury has named the creative industries, including fashion, as one of the top five priority growth sectors - underscored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) recent Sector Vision, which sets out ambitious growth targets.

In the sector vision and elsewhere, DCMS has a number of initiatives that aim to improve access to the creative and fashion industries for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Creative Careers Programme has been relaunched with £1 million HM Government funding (22/23-24/25). Aimed at young people aged 11-18 from underrepresented backgrounds, the Creative Careers Programme is targeting 77 priority areas across England. DCMS also engages with our government-appointed Creative Industries Disability and Access Ambassadors who are working on increasing access to the creative industries for those with disabilities.

The government is supporting UK businesses with running costs through the Recovery Loan Scheme, designed to support access to finance for UK businesses as they look to invest and grow. Businesses can use the finance for any legitimate business purpose – including managing cashflow, investment and growth. Additionally, Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hubs can also be a source of free advice and finance. This is in addition to the Energy Bills Discount Scheme; the increased Employment Allowance of £5,000, which takes the smallest 40% of businesses out of paying any National Insurance at all; and setting the Annual Investment Allowance at £1 million permanently. To support businesses with exporting goods (including samples) the Government's Export Support Service (ESS) provides guidance and advice in response to queries about exporting and ATA Carnets.

As part of the Creative Industries Sector Vision, the government announced £2 million funding to support London Fashion Week over the next two years - this will go towards supporting emerging designer talent and increasing access to the sector.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department have taken to improve (a) environmental and (b) human sustainability practices in the fashion industry.

Answered by John Whittingdale

The textiles and fashion industry plays an important role in the UK’s social and cultural heritage, and is a major driver of economic growth - with UK designers and manufacturers exporting around the world. Improving the creative industries’ environmental impact was identified as a priority in our Creative Industries Sector Vision, published in June 2023.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) works with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on the work they are doing on textiles waste management. Defra’s ambitions for minimising textile waste are outlined in ‘Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste’ which constitutes a new Waste Prevention Plan and was published on 28 July 2023. Defra funds Textiles 2030, a voluntary initiative with over 110 signatories from the fashion manufacturing industry covering 62% by sales of the UK clothing market. Signatories are committed to reducing their carbon and water usage and to other circular economy principles such as agreeing good design principles so that their products are durable and recyclable.

DCMS also supports the UK Research and Investment (UKRI) £15 million Circular Fashion programme, launched in 2022 to bring the sector, academia and government together to understand and drive the fashion and textiles industry towards sustainable and responsible practices.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help fashion companies become more sustainable.

Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government's 2018 Resources & Waste Strategy for England identified textiles as a priority sector for action, due to significant waste and environmental impacts. A key part of the strategy is working with industry to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable.

Our SCAP 2020 programme, delivered by our partner WRAP, supported signatories to reduce their water and carbon footprints per tonne of clothing by 18.2% and 21.6% respectively (between 2012 and 2020).

In 2021 we funded Textiles 2030, a new ambitious programme with signatories representing more than 62% of all clothing placed on the UK market. Targets include a 50% reduction in carbon footprint of new products and 30% reduction in water footprint, both by 2030.

Complementing this, we are considering what framework of policy options could best help reduce textiles and fashion waste, potentially using a range of powers from our landmark Environment Act 2021.

Found: only Ceramics Maker • ST0919 Craft assistant Furniture Maker • ST0639 Bespoke furniture maker Textiles

Found: ..3 Occupational Specialism: Jewellery and Metalsmithing……… ……………6 Occupational Specialism: Textiles

Found: Works to The Clothworkers’ Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion were also brought

Found: line with this strategy, they are considering what framework of policy options would best reduce textiles

Found: Works to The Clothworkers’ Centre for the Study and Conservation of Textiles and Fashion were also brought

Found: T hese are listed below: • Childcare articles and children’s equipment • Clothing, textiles and fashion

Found: Return to Heat Matrix . 3.2 Clothing, textiles and fashion items 3.2.1 Bisphenols Li and Kannan

Found: line with this strategy, they are considering what framework of policy options would best reduce textiles