Rail Forum is today launching “Rail Manufacturing: An Engine For Growth”. Developed with our Manufacturing Steering Group this document sets out key policy actions that will drive greater benefits for the UK economy, securing jobs now and into the future, encouraging more investment in technology and skills and reducing costs through greater productivity.
Elaine Clark OBE, CEO of Rail Forum said:
“Recent Transport Committee inquiries have considered the boom-and-bust approach to rail investment and skills in transport manufacturing. Our policy recommendations underpin the conclusions reached by the Committee and we encourage Government to go further in adopting the recommendations that the Committee has made. Our proposals don’t require any additional funding from Government, nor do they require legislation; they are practical steps that can be adopted quickly and that will drive significant benefits for suppliers, clients and UK taxpayers.”
Rail Forum’s Manufacturing Steering Group leads on actions to support manufacturing members including the annual #MayMake campaign. This year’s campaign saw some 36 companies get involve showcasing the breadth and depth of manufacturing capability across the UK supply chain.
“Manufacturing generates around 9% of the UK’s GDP and companies working in rail are a massive part of that”; continued Elaine; “they create highly skilled high paid jobs, and we want to see them thrive so they can recruit and develop the next generation of manufacturers”