Textile jobs at risk

UK textile jobs are at risk following a Ministry of Defence (MoD) decision to award a £50 million contract for uniforms to a company, Cooneen Watts and Stone Ltd, that intends to subcontract much of the work to China.

The textile workers' union Community (formerly KFAT) criticised the decision, which goes against government commitments on public procurement (government purchasing) made at the Labour Party's policy forum in July.

Paul Gates, deputy general secretary of Community, said: "The real scandal about this decision is that it is so unnecessary. Under World Trade Organisation and European Union competition rules, it is entirely legal for military contracts to be awarded to domestic manufacturers. Every other EU country does this for uniforms, to preserve quality and security of supply, so why don't we?"

He added that the union's members employed in the textile industry "aren't protectionist, they just want there to be a balance in UK procurement contracts to ensure that, where legal and necessary for security of supply, the MoD ensures UK taxpayers' money is spent with UK firms".

The union is calling for the secretary of state for trade and industry to intervene.