INTERNATIONAL-TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE UK TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR

This paper investigates the proximate reasons for the observed decline in employment in the UK textiles and clothing sectors during the period 1980-89. It provides estimates of import penetration, growth in demand and growth in labour productivity for the two industry groups. Utilizing the statistical technique of shift share analysis the paper suggests that growth in labour productivity rather than import penetration may be the principal reason for the observed loss of jobs in the two industry groups.