Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on the number of skilled workers in the UK manufacturing sector.

The Government has been clear that safeguarding the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK has been a priority during its negotiations. The agreement reached and set out in the Withdrawal Agreement text will provide them with certainty about their rights going forward. It will allow EU citizens in the UK to continue living their lives broadly as they do now.

Government recognises the vital role the manufacturing sector plays in the economy and to local places. Through our Industrial Strategy, we are committed to making the UK the best place in Europe to own and grow a manufacturing business. We are working closely with industry to secure a strong future for UK manufacturers and their employees, including through major new investment in research and significant reforms in education and skills.