Fashion
UK government, unions & businesses agree on Employment Rights Bill
A central breakthrough was consensus on reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from 24 months to six months, while retaining day-one protection against discrimination and automatically unfair dismissal, UK’s Department for Business and Trade said in a release.
The UK government will advance the Employment Rights Bill after unions and business groups agreed to cut the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months.
The deal preserves April 2026 rollout of day-one sick pay and paternity leave and the Fair Work Agency.
Business groups welcomed the agreement but urged careful handling of issues such as guaranteed hours.
Ministers stressed this approach balances stronger worker protections with clarity for employers. The Government will also lift the compensation cap and ensure that any future changes to the qualifying period can only be made through primary legislation.
Business groups and unions agreed the Bill could now progress after the government committed to table the necessary amendments and ensure a full, transparent consultation process for upcoming secondary legislation. Ministers said this will keep implementation aligned with their timetable and manifesto pledge to ‘Make Work Pay,’ avoiding significant delays that would affect millions of workers and hinder business preparation.
The government emphasised its intention to continue detailed engagement with both sides—particularly to support small businesses—throughout the implementation phase.
Six major business organisations, including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), CBI and Federation of Small Businesses, issued a joint statement welcoming the negotiated outcome. They said firms would be relieved that the government had adopted a qualifying period that is simple, meaningful, and understood, giving employers confidence to hire while protecting workers.
“This change addresses the key problem that must be sorted in primary legislation. It shows that dialogue works and is a model for how to consider the important questions that need answering in regulations before new rules come into force,” BCC along with the other organisations said in a joint release.
However, they cautioned that concerns remain over powers in the Bill related to guaranteed hours contracts, rules for seasonal and temporary workers, and industrial action thresholds.
“We remain committed to working with government and unions to dealing with this in the necessary secondary legislation to implement the Bill. We must ensure that it supports opportunity for workers while avoiding damage to economic growth. That also means agreeing guidance and support for businesses to understand and effectively implement the many changes, alongside sufficient resources for the Fair Work Agency and tribunal system,” the organisations added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
China boosts offshore wind capacity to speed up low-carbon transition
The country’s total wind power installed capacity hit 650 million kW at the end of February 2026—up by 22.8 per cent year on year (YoY), data from the National Energy Administration show.
China is developing several advanced offshore wind projects, fast-tracking its energy transition.
Its cumulative offshore wind installed capacity has surpassed 47 million kW, leading the world for five consecutive years.
China is now shifting its focus to deeper, more distant waters.
It has also developed a robust, clustered offshore wind industrial supply chain, with key hubs in coastal provinces.
Its cumulative offshore wind installed capacity has surpassed 47 million kW, leading the world for five consecutive years.
Generally, projects with water depths exceeding 50 metres are categorised as deep-sea offshore wind, and those over 65 kilometres from the shore as far-offshore wind.
China is now shifting its focus to deeper, more distant waters, where winds are stronger and more stable, but pose greater operational challenges.
In south China’s Guangdong Province, a major offshore wind farm project developed by China Huadian Corporation, situated off the coast of Yangjiang City, has started full-scale construction.
Located up to 89 km offshore, it will generate 1.6 billion kWh of clean power annually and reduce carbon emissions by 1.26 million tonnes upon completion, a state-controlled media outlet reported.
Meanwhile, in east China’s Shandong Province, the country’s deepest operational offshore wind farm has achieved full grid connection. The 504,000-kW project, developed by China Huaneng Group, operates in waters ranging from 52 to 56 metres deep, approximately 70 km offshore.
In south China’s Hainan Province, a pilot wind project has also commissioned its first grid-connected turbines, which are expected to generate 150 million kWh of clean power per year.
China has also developed a robust, clustered offshore wind industrial supply chain, with key hubs in coastal provinces like Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Fujian, covering turbine manufacturing, auxiliary equipment, construction and installation, and operation and maintenance services.
In Shantou, Guangdong Province, local authorities are exploring diversified utilisation models for offshore wind to build a world-class high-end offshore wind equipment cluster.
Key components for wind turbines, including generators, gearboxes, and bearings, are produced and assembled seamlessly within the industrial cluster, reducing long-distance transportation costs and the risk of damage.
The city also boasts a key offshore wind innovation hub, equipped with a training centre and an advanced wind turbine testing platform, which provides professional technical support and performance testing services for the global offshore wind industry.
In Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu Province, China’s largest offshore wind industrial cluster has taken shape, with a complete supply chain. Its total wind turbine production capacity accounts for over 40 per cent of the national total, and blade production accounts for about 20 per cent of the country’s output.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China aims at further developing large-scale offshore wind bases across the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, and steadily scale up deep-sea wind development.
The country targets over 100 million kW of cumulative offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
Sweden’s H&M & Stella McCartney return with nostalgic 2026 collection
The collection unites past and present, combining beloved current signatures, such as oversized shirting, sweeping trenches and sharp tailoring, with playful iconic hits from McCartney’s early archive, including bejewelled prints and slogan tops.
H&M unveils its new Stella McCartney collaboration, launching May 7, marking 20 years since their first partnership.
Blending archive-inspired designs with modern signatures, the collection features tailored pieces, statement prints and accessories.
With a strong focus on recycled and organic materials, it reflects McCartney’s legacy of innovation, sustainability and timeless style.
“I see this collection as a journey through my fashion history. It is a true mix of current classics and some of my old favourites that showcase my first forays into fashion and the development of my signatures. It’s playful, strong, sparkling, joyful, refined.” Stella McCartney.
Other key items in the collection include rib knitted dresses and tops with McCartney’s signature Falabella chain at the neck, and a long white gown with a cape-like sleeve that loops into the hem, giving the look of a sweeping circle of fabric. Also available are sparkling partywear, separates and denims, as well as mesh dresses and tops in a bold archival cherry-print. Offering an extra dose of nostalgia is a white mini tee embellished with studs reading ‘Rock Royalty’.
The accessories range is strong, and rich in bags. There will be six styles to choose from, including small, branded shoulder bags, giant totes and a timeless chocolate-toned bag with a chain-detail strap. This is one of several pieces in the collection that incorporate the Falabella chain, including necklaces and earrings, crafted in recycled metal in mixed tones, and loafers with chain detailing on the front.
The collection is defined by an approach to materials that prioritizes recycled content, organic cottons, wool certified to the RWS Standard and innovative usage of feedstock for coated materials, such as industrial corn and recycled vegetable oil.
Unveiled today is the collection’s campaign, shot by Sam Rock in London, and starring Renee Rapp, Angelina Kendall and Adwoa Aboah. The mood is playful yet effortless, nostalgic yet forward-thinking. Across the campaign, &Stella becomes the tagline for this special collaboration. Reinterpreted in myriad forms – &Here &Now &Me &You – it becomes a message about connection, care, and a way of being that speaks both this moment, and to the past, present, and future.
“Stella has always had a bold vision for fashion, and this collection tracks her journey from a young, rule-breaking voice to a master of timeless design. Every single piece in the collection is desirable and tells a unique and bold story.” – Ann-Sofie Johansson.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)
Fashion
North India cotton yarn steady despite continued push by spinners
The Delhi cotton yarn market remained stable, though demand from downstream industries was weak at elevated price levels. Garment demand in both domestic and export markets also remained sluggish. A trader from Delhi market told Fibre*Fashion, “Spinning mills are selling cotton yarn at an additional margin of at least ** per cent. They have a cushion of advance orders from other countries. Mills have export orders for the next *–* months, so they do not need to sell in the domestic market. They are selling cotton yarn domestically at higher prices than export realisations.”
In Delhi, ** count combed knitting yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg (GST extra), while ** count combed yarn was priced at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg. Meanwhile, ** count carded yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg and ** count carded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, according to market sources.
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