Wife of the governor of the Bank of England hits out at cheap clothes for harming the environment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The wife of the governor of the Bank of England has condemned cheap clothes as a “toxic skin” which damage the environment and fail to reflect the “true costs of production”.
Diane Carney said in a blog on her environmental website that consumers should buy fewer clothes and instead pay more to get organically produced T-shirts and jeans.
She hit out at the type of cheap cotton clothing frequently found in high street stores that leave a “trail of devastation” because of the damage wrought on the landscape by “toxic chemicals” and high water consumption. She was also concerned about the impact of cheap clothes on the health of the people who make them.
The environmental campaigner, whose husband, Mark, took up the role of Governor of the Bank of England earlier this year, said: “Low prices tempt us all in (I am by no means exempt here),” she wrote. “But in the textiles world, prices are nowhere near high enough to reflect the true costs of production.
“Looking at all the benefits of organic fabrics, it’s a wonder we don’t demand them more vociferously. Who wants to carry around a toxic second skin each day?”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments