Call for textile industry aid

The textile undustry needs investment, say unions

A West Yorkshire MP has called for the textile industry to be a high priority during the restructuring of the Department for Trade and Industry.

On Tuesday, Kali Mountford, Labour MP for the Colne Valley, is leading a debate in the House of Commons to promote the dying trade.

The secretary of the All Party Group on Textiles, Clothing and Footwear said it would give the government the opportunity to hear about new developments in the industry.

Kali Mountford MP is leading the debate

The move has been welcomed by the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) who found 95% of delegates at a textile conference had experienced or faced factory closures and redundancies.

T&G spokesman Peter Booth said: "The texiles industry has been hit particularly bad in recent months and years.

"Real concerns exist that we are facing nothing short of a crisis for one of our hallmark industries.

"If we do not invest in our industry the future looks bleak."