We are delighted to announce that Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones will be visiting Leicester garment factories on 12 February 2026, meeting with local SME businesses that form the backbone of the UK fashion and textiles industry.
Emma Jones will be joined by Jess Jones, Rosalind Wall, Edward Perchard, Liam Askins, Emmanuel Arthur, and Kieran Housden to engage directly with local manufacturers and small business owners. This visit represents a significant opportunity to spotlight the role of SMEs in driving economic growth, employment, and ethical onshoring within the UK.
SMEs: The Backbone of the UK Economy
SMEs are vital to the UK’s economic health. In 2025, there are approximately 5.7 million SMEs, accounting for 99% of all private sector businesses. Collectively, SMEs are responsible for around 60% of private sector employment and generate a combined turnover of over £2.7 trillion.
The businesses we represent range from sole traders to manufacturers employing up to 100 people. With greater access to public procurement contracts, many of these businesses could rapidly scale, creating meaningful employment and strengthening local supply chains.
Parliamentary Momentum on Onshoring
We are extremely grateful to Catherine West MP and Diarmaid Ward for tabling a 90-minute Backbench Business Debate on “Onshoring in the Fashion and Textiles Industry”, scheduled for 3:00 pm on 12 February, the same day as Emma Jones’ visit. This timely debate underscores growing political recognition of the importance of rebuilding UK manufacturing capacity.
Further highlighting this momentum, Fashion Roundtable, led by Tamara Cincik, has organised an Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Extraordinary General Meeting, taking place in Room W2 from 14:30–15:00 on Thursday 12 February.
Ensuring SME Voices Are Heard
We want the voices of our members to be heard. While attendance numbers are restricted, we are actively formulating comments and policy recommendations to feed into these discussions.
Members are encouraged to submit their views, insights, and recommendations to:
📧 [email protected] (Divya Kamath)
Leicester: A Unique Opportunity for Rapid Impact
Leicester presents a unique and immediate opportunity to reduce worklessness. The skilled labour force already exists, the infrastructure is in place, and factories are ready to produce — what is needed now are orders and sustained demand.
With the right support, onshoring garment production can deliver fast economic and social benefits, while strengthening ethical, transparent supply chains.
A Positive Future for UK Garment Manufacturing
Garment making in the UK has never been more promising. With growing political engagement, committed industry leadership, and a skilled workforce ready to deliver, the conditions are right to move forward positively.
By aligning public procurement, policy support, and industry collaboration, we can unlock the full potential of UK manufacturing — creating jobs, supporting SMEs, and building a more resilient fashion and textiles sector.