Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to support rail component manufacturing companies in transitioning to manufacturing components for newer train fleets.

While the supply of components to build new trains is ultimately a matter for the manufacturers, government encourages manufacturers to use the UK supply chain where possible. Through our engagement process we stress to the rail industry that it should take every opportunity to make use of local components wherever practical, and support businesses across the country. Indeed, Covid-19 has highlighted the value of resilient local supply chains and that it is whole-life value rather than lowest upfront cost that matters.