Following an internal review, the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT), which offers financial support to parents working in the UK fashion and textiles industry, is reducing the minimum required trade connection period for current employees from 12 months to 6 months.

In recognition of families facing ongoing cost of living challenges across the UK, the FTCT board of trustees, led by Justin Hampshire, CEO of TFG London, decided to extend support to more employees across the industry who are facing financial difficulty. The criteria change came into effect from April 2026.

Commenting is Anna Pangbourne, FTCT CEO. “We are making this change to ensure that our criteria remain relevant to the sector, including those on shorter-term contracts and those entering the workforce with existing financial challenges. By reducing the minimum length of trade connection to six months for current employees, we hope to reach families before a personal financial crisis causes long-term financial difficulties.”

FTCT has given out £1.82m in grants to industry families in the last five years. For further information or to discuss a grant application, please contact marketing@ftct.org.uk or click here.