Thousands of railway jobs at risk, report warns

This is one of the findings from a new Railway Industry Association (RIA) report, which sets out how there are currently no orders for new or upgraded rolling stock in the UK, with the current orders set to end by 2026.

The report – ‘The UK Rolling Stock Industry – making 2023 the year of opportunity not crisis’ – highlights that the UK has the facilities to deliver modern trains with cleaner technologies including electric, battery, hydrogen and bi-mode, but in under 12 months major factories will start to run out of work.

The industry employs over 30,000 people who contribute at least £1.8bn to the economy, but the UK will not be able to upgrade or renew trains if the factories and skilled workers are no longer there.

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As well as job losses, the RIA highlighted that the absence of decision making in government will lead to worsening passenger experience due to ageing trains not being replaced, increased costs in the long-run, and limited deployment of green technologies. To avert these consequences, the report is urging that orders to replace or upgrade the oldest rolling stock are placed immediately.