Clothing poverty awareness

Early day motion 173, tabled 7 December 2023 by Apsana Begum (Labour). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes with concern that rising numbers of people are unable to afford adequate clothing in the United Kingdom, that the demand for clothing banks has increased dramatically and is particularly acute during winter months and that even despite the best efforts of clothing banks clothing deprivation is an hidden aspect of poverty in the United Kingdom; further notes that whilst other deprivations, notably food deprivations, are highly publicised and visible in the United Kingdom’s public consciousness the same is not true of clothing deprivation; acknowledges that through its voluntarily ratification of a range of treaties the United Kingdom has recognised and assumed obligations in international law to work towards the realisation of the right to adequate clothing; recognises the right to adequate clothing; calls on the Government to acknowledge the growing issue of clothing deprivation; further calls on the Government to publish a clothing strategy to ensure that nobody is excluded from accessing adequate clothing as well as address concerns regarding the environmental damage caused by fast fashion and the exploitation faced by garment workers in this country and in global supply chains; and also calls on the the Government to begin work towards addressing these issues through policy and law.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Independent 3, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.