Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of the rolling stock pipeline for the UK rail industry and (b) potential impact of a production gap on the viability of factories in the UK.

The Government recognises the importance the rolling stock supply chain has on the both the national and local economies. It is manufacturers themselves that are responsible for exploring opportunities to supply new trains for both export and domestic markets and they must ensure that they exploit the global reach and expertise within UK manufacturing facilities.

Since 2010, over 5,300 vehicles ordered by train operators in the UK have been assembled at manufacturing facilities across the country, reflecting in the region of around £10.6bn on orders for rolling stock built in the UK since 2010.

This includes the recent £2 billion HS2 rolling stock order for the next generation of Britain’s high-speed trains which will benefit passengers in the North West and be built in Derby, Crewe and County Durham. Whilst over one-third of the UK fleet has been renewed since 2010, the supply chain must continue to consider further opportunities around the remainder of the fleet, such as refurbishment or upgrades, that represent real long-term value to taxpayers.