How can we build a thriving, ethical, and sustainable garment industry in the UK - one that works for businesses and for workers?

Join us on 6 November 2025 at Highfields Community Centre, Leicester for an interactive day of research, dialogue, and action on fair work and supply chains in the UK garment industry.

While the UK garment industry’s problems have had considerable media exposure over the last years, the industry has also served as a platform for experimentation towards positive solutions. This event explores recent initiatives and the conditions under which garment manufacturing can have a future in the UK. Findings of current research projects and recent forward-looking initiatives, both involving manufacturers, auditing and enforcement actors, as well as workers, will be shared. The event will provide an opportunity to discuss those developments with industry stakeholders and start a process of formulating a policy framework.

Two workshops will explore how to support workers as well as manufacturers in the UK. Starting with brief inputs of previously unpublished data on garment manufacturers’ business and supply chain practices; the effectiveness of social auditing and labour market enforcement; the working and living conditions of garment workers.

10:00-12:00: Living and working in Leicester’s garment industry: What are the needs of garment workers? How can they be supported best?

13:00-15:00: Enforcing standards in the garment industry: What does the industry need? How can a stable manufacturing environment be achieved?

This event is supported by University of Leicester, Transform Trade, and University of Nottingham as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science on Our Working Lives.

Register via TicketTailor here.