A thinktank known as the Fashion Roundtable is preparing to send a letter to the UK Prime Minister's office, urging Andy Burnham—likely a reference to a political figure, though the name appears to be misattributed— to commit to manufacturing uniforms for the British Defence Forces and NHS staff within the UK. The letter, signed by over 1,200 individuals, includes notable figures such as adventurer Ben Fogle and TV presenter Patrick Grant from The British Sewing Bee. The group argues that public procurement—meaning government purchases—could play a vital role in keeping the UK’s manufacturing sector strong. According to the Fashion Roundtable, the NHS and the Ministry of Defence spend about £120 million each year on uniforms, with more than half of these items currently produced abroad. An economist from the thinktank pointed out that domestic manufacturing proved beneficial during the pandemic, when Scotland’s investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) generated an additional £66.7 million in economic value and created 1,400 jobs. This example highlights how government contracts can support local industries and job creation. Kate Hills, founder of the Make It British initiative, emphasized that producing uniforms domestically could give manufacturers the confidence to grow their workforce and make long-term plans. She referenced the U.S. Berry Amendment, a law passed in 1941 that requires military uniforms to be made in the United States. The U.S. market for such contracts reached $1.62 billion (£1.19 billion) in 2025, according to Hills, suggesting that similar policies could benefit the UK. She also noted that Burnham might support such a shift, citing his preference for UK-made clothing, such as suits from the Manchester-based brand Private White VC. Patrick Grant, who invested in Blackburn-based military outfitters Cookson & Clegg in 2015, explained that manufacturing requires consistent and long-term business, which government contracts could provide. However, he acknowledged that the process of securing these contracts is currently too complex for many companies, unless they have a large administrative team. Grant also raised concerns about the current practice of producing army uniforms in countries with which the UK has unstable relationships, noting that this could pose risks to the supply chain in times of crisis. He suggested that new legislation could help protect jobs in the UK by ensuring the production of essential goods, especially as advancements in artificial intelligence continue to reshape the global economy.