Moves to create an influential voice for UK textile manufacturers, including wool processors in the Bradford district, have been launched by MP David Ward.

Nearly 40 cross-party MPs and Lords from have signed up to a new parliamentary pressure group, which will also be open to textile industry representatives . .

Mr Ward, Bradford East Lib Dem MP, is working with the Bradford-based educational charity, the Society of Dyers and Colourists, which is providing administrative support, to recruit business members.

He said there was a need to revisit a strategy for UK textiles and the new Associate Parliamentary Group for Textile Manufacturing would provide a platform to focus on issues facing the industry and lobby the Government.

Mr Ward said: “It’s about ten years since the then Department of Trade and Industry looked at a strategy for textiles but not much has happened since.

“I have raised the matter with Business Secretary Vince Cable to see if we can revisit that work and develop a new strategy for today’s textile industry .

“Textiles should be included in the Government’s support for manufacturing industry and the Government shouldn’t just focus on supporting advanced manufacturing, important though that is.

“The new body is an associate group to enable industry representatives to play a direct role.

“We will be drawing up a work programme to ensure we focus on issues that matter to businesses.

“These will include how to return more textile production back to the UK; maximising exports and skills development.

“The new group will provide both politicians with textile interests and business people to work together to press ministers to provide support for what remains an important economic sector, which is undergoing something of a rennaisance, particularly in the case of wool.

“Winning more backing and support for the textile sector will be good for the economy and critical for Bradford which still has several successful wool textile firms. Their contribution deserves more official recognition.”

Dr Graham Clayton, chief executive of the Society of Dyers and Colourists, welcomed the initiative. He said there was much to celebrate about the UK textile industry but it needed more official recognition.

Dr Clayton said: “I’m sure that textile companies will want to play their part in the he new group and get the message across to ministers and others that we have much to celebrate and support in British textiles. Initiative like the Textile Centre of Excellence in Huddersfield. which provides innovation and training amongst other services, is a good example of what the modern industry is about.”

The group will be co-chaired by Stuart Andrew, Tory MP for Pudsey, and Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for Huddersfield. Members include Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South); George Galloway (Bradford West); Philip Davies (Shipley) and Lord William Wallace of Saltaire.