UK fashion industry urges Andy Burnham to shift NHS and Ministry of Defence uniform procurement to domestic manufacturers to safeguard British manufacturing jobs
Executive summary: Over 1,200 individuals, including Ben Fogle, signed a letter asking Andy Burnham to procure NHS and Ministry of Defence uniforms from UK manufacturers. Shifting uniform procurement to domestic suppliers could boost UK manufacturing employment and reduce reliance on overseas imports.
Who is involved: Fashion and textile industry representatives, Ben Fogle, Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), NHS and MoD procurement officials.
Likely next: Burnham’s office may review the request ahead of the upcoming autumn budget, with possible pilot programs or policy guidance on public‑sector uniform sourcing.
The fashion industry’s call for the NHS and the Ministry of Defence to source uniforms from UK manufacturers reflects growing concern over the erosion of domestic textile capacity. More than 1,200 signatories, among them television presenter Ben Fogle, argue that redirecting public‑sector orders would provide a steady demand base for British producers, helping them withstand competitive pressure from lower‑cost overseas suppliers and safeguard skilled jobs in regions where textile mills remain a key employer. The timing of the appeal, coinciding with London Fashion Week, underscores the sector’s desire to leverage its visibility and translate cultural capital into concrete procurement opportunities. If the request gains traction, it could prompt a review of existing procurement frameworks, potentially leading to pilot projects that test the feasibility of awarding uniform contracts to domestic firms. Such a shift would need to balance support for local manufacturing with considerations of price, quality and delivery timelines that are central to public‑sector buying decisions. In the near term, stakeholders may watch for any response from Andy Burnham’s office, including whether the government initiates consultations or commits to evaluating the economic impact of increased domestic sourcing.
What's next — scenarios
Base: request reviewed but no immediate change (50%)
Uniform procurement remains largely unchanged; domestic textile sector sees no short‑term order uplift.
- No public statement from Burnham’s office within 4 weeks
- Autumn budget 2026 contains no uniform‑sourcing measures
Upside: pilot domestic‑sourcing scheme launched (30%)
NHS and MoD initiate a limited pilot ordering UK‑made uniforms, creating immediate orders for participating manufacturers.
- Announcement of a uniform‑sourcing pilot by NHS England by 15 Nov 2026
- Budget allocation for domestic uniform procurement in autumn 2026
Downside: request ignored, status quo persists (20%)
Uniform contracts continue to be awarded overseas; no measurable impact on UK textile employment.
- Burnham’s office confirms no change to procurement policy by 30 Oct 2026
- No industry‑government meeting on uniform sourcing reported by end 2026 Q4
What to watch
- Publication of UK government procurement guidance for uniforms (expected Oct 2026)
- Announcement of a pilot scheme by NHS England for domestically sourced uniforms (by Nov 2026)
- Statement from Andy Burnham’s office on uniform sourcing (within 4 weeks of 15 Sep 2026)
- Release of UK fashion and textile employment data for Q4 2026
- Details of the autumn 2026 budget referencing uniform or public‑sector procurement
Timeline
- — Make NHS and MoD uniforms in UK, fashion firms urge Burnham (The Guardian — Business)
Key entities
Sources
- Make NHS and MoD uniforms in UK, fashion firms urge Burnham — The Guardian — Business
Related cases
- Unions urge Prime Minister Burnham to tax bank surcharges to subsidize energy bills for households
- Train drivers’ 3.6% pay rise after strike threat signals growing labor cost pressures in UK rail
- Andy Burnham’s proposal allows private investors to retain ownership in England’s water sector while promising greater public control
- Andy Burnham’s plan to devolve planning approval powers to England’s mayors could fast‑track housing projects and reshape local investment flows
- North Sea oil becomes a political flashpoint as UK Prime Minister Burnham balances energy security, net-zero commitments, and transatlantic pressure from Trump
- Andy Burnham faces a test to revitalise northern England's rail services