UK MPs are looking into the possibility of banning ‘dangerously skinny’ models from British catwalks after receiving a petition signed by 30,000 people.

The investigation, which is being led by body image MP Caroline Nokes, will talk to senior members of the fashion industry to get their views on whether young girls are feeling pressured to lose too much weight, and whether new legislation is needed.

“Legislation should be a last resort, but I’m conscious the fashion industry isn’t responding to calls for change,” Nokes said. “We would prefer a code of conduct, if we could feel confident it would be adhered to.”

The original petition, which was calling for fashion week health checks, was started up by Rosie Nelson – a size 8 model from Sandhurst. “When I walked into one of the UK’s biggest model agencies last year they told me I ticked all the boxes except one – I needed to lose weight,” she explains. “So I did. Four months later I lost nearly a stone, two inches off my hips. When I returned to the same agency they told me to lose more weight, they wanted me ‘down to the bone’.”

It's a topic that's always been hugely controversial. This year, France passed a law that prevented models with a BMI of less than 18 being hired – with designers and agencies facing up to fines or even prison sentences. The same rule applies in Spain, and in Milan models must show health certificates under a self-regulation code. 

“I’ve been contacted by other models and agencies as well who say they want to change what designers are demanding. They are the ones making samples sizes that models can’t fit into.” Caroline Nokes told The Guardian yesterday. “There are always going to be some people who are naturally that thin but for the majority, it is not a body shape that is attainable healthily. And we have to bear in mind that many of the girls entering the industry are very young, and are very likely to want to do whatever it takes to succeed.”

Last month, Swedish model Agnes Hedengård also highlighted the issue when she released a video describing all the times that agencies had told her she was “too big” to work with. You can watch below: