Political Intelligence: March 2024
Image: Big Ben at night time Credit: Photo by Shreyas Sane on Unsplash
The Spring Budget
Despite it seeming a long time ago already, the Spring Budget was only a few weeks ago on 6 March.
Whilst the Chancellor announced over £1 billion of tax relief for Britain’s “world-leading creative industries” this was primarily aimed at the film industry, with a permanent extension to tax relief for theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries. As such we will continue to lobby for the same support for the fashion industry.
In the wider political context, the Government don’t seem to have benefitted from a post-Budget bounce with the electorate, with the BBC reporting Labour remained 20 points ahead in the polls at the end of March.
Progress on “greenwashing” in the fashion industry
Following the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) investigation into Asda, Boohoo and ASOS over their “green” claims in 2022, they have secured new formal agreements with the three organisations to ensure their green claims are clear and accurate for consumers.
However, this may well be just the beginning of wider industry reform with the CMA also publishing an open letter to all fashion retailers regarding their environmental claims and announcing they will be building on their existing Green Code to provide advice tailored fitted for the fashion industry.
Climate pledges and budgets
There was some continued speculation this month over the Labour Party’s position on green issues and whether they might make further changes to their policy position - however, nothing new has been announced.
The BBC reported on the decision to approve one of Europe’s biggest waste-to-energy incinerators in North East Cambridgeshire, which is opposed by the Environment Secretary Steve Barclary MP, as it is in his constituency. However, despite some questions being raised by the Energy Secretary, Claire Coutinho, the approval remains in place.
Just before Parliament went into recess, the Prime Minister was questioned by the Liaison Committee (made up of all the Chairs of Select Committees, which each scrutinise one Government department). There was discussion on ensuring that there is adequate Parliamentary time for scrutiny of the seventh carbon budget, which is expected to be published early next year.
All eyes on… the local and Mayoral elections
Whilst Parliament may be in recess until 15th April, that doesn’t mean politics has stopped.
With local council elections taking place in many parts of the country on 2nd May and Mayoral elections in multiple regions including London, the West Midlands and Manchester all focus, there is plenty of campaigning taking place on doorsteps up and down the country.
Whilst the Conservative Party are predicted to lose some councillors and potentially some Mayors too nothing is certain until the votes are counted, so expect plenty of coverage on what it all means on 3rd May.
On and if, local and Mayoral elections aren’t quite enough for you, 2nd May has also been confirmed as date for the Blackpool South by-election following the resignation of Conservative MP Scott Benton. Labour are currently expected to win the seat but the Reform Party will also be hoping to pick up votes.
Written Questions in the House of Commons
To the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford)
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to support traditional English sartorial culture and the related industry.
Julia Lopez (Minister for Creative Industries)
As part of the Creative Industries Sector Vision, the government announced £2 million funding to support five London Fashion Weeks over the next two years. This will go specifically towards supporting emerging designer talent and increasing access to the sector, delivered through the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme.
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. This programme will be critical in developing this area of research and meeting the goal of transforming the fashion and textiles sector to adopt economically viable and scalable circular models by 2032.
The textiles, fashion and craft industries play an important role in the UK’s social and cultural heritage, and are a major driver of economic growth. The UK is famous for its unrivalled creativity and innovation and it has a track record for producing some of the world’s most influential designers. Recognising this contribution, we are committed to supporting future growth in the sector. DCMS continues to engage with the British Fashion Council, the Crafts Council and the wider industries to understand the challenges the sectors are facing and how the government can best provide support.
To the Department for Business and Trade
Sir Chris Bryant (Lab, Shadow Minister for Creative Industries)
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2024 to Question 10114 on UK Trade Show Programme, how many SMEs were provided with grants to participate in trade shows overseas through the (a) UK Trade Show Programme in financial year 2022-23 and (b) Tradeshow Access Programme in financial year 2019-20; and how many of those grants in each year were given to SMEs operating in the (i) fashion and (ii) fashion retail sectors.
Greg Hands (Minister for Trade Policy)
The UK Trade Show Programme in the financial year 2022-23 awarded 93 grants, seven of those grants were for businesses in the fashion industry.
The Tradeshow Access Programme in the financial year 2019-20 awarded 2531 grants, approximately 442 of those grants were for businesses in the fashion industry.
No further information is held to distinguish between businesses in the fashion or fashion retail sector.