Select Committee · Transport Committee

Skills for transport manufacturing

Status: Closed Opened: 22 Jul 2025 Closed: 21 Jul 2026 10 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

The UK has a long tradition of manufacturing motor vehicles, buses, aeroplanes, trains, and ships, but manufacturers in the transport industries are concerned about skills shortages. These industries are integral to the economic health of the communities they are based in, and they provide high-quality, British-built equipment for companies here and around the world. This … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Engine for growth: securing skills for transpo… HC 1223 28 Jan 2026 16 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
14 Recommendation 5th Report - Engine for growth: securin… Deferred

Develop an evidence-led plan to increase diversity within the transport manufacturing sector.

Skills England should by the end of 2026 set out an evidence-led plan, commissioning research necessary to fill gaps in knowledge on what has worked best in the manufacturing sector, detailing how it will support the Government’s target to increase diversity in the manufacturing sectors. The plan should include commitments … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government will wait for the Make UK Equality Taskforce's recommendations before taking action on increasing diversity in the advanced manufacturing sector, including transport manufacturing, and will update the select committee once the Task Force has tangible recommendations.
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
5 Nov 2025 Alan Krikorian · Department of Work and Pensions, Eddie Dempsey · National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT), Lilian Greenwood MP · Department for Transport, Mr John McGookin · Unite the Union, Rebecca Schapira · Department for Business and Trade, Sarah Maclean CBE · Skills England View ↗
22 Oct 2025 Balaji Srimoolanathan · ADS Group Ltd, Dr Benjamin Silverstone · Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Jamie Cater · Make UK, Matthew Ogg · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Oriel Petry · Airbus, Professor Chris Brace · University of Bath (IAAPS + Institute of Coding), Tom Chant MBE · Society of Maritime Industries View ↗

Who gave evidence

13 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alan Krikorian · Deputy Director for Skills and Growth Levy Department of Work and Pensions 1
Balaji Srimoolanathan · Director ADS Group Ltd 1
Dr Benjamin Silverstone · Associate Professor and Director Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick 1
Eddie Dempsey · General Secretary National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) 1
Jamie Cater · Senior Policy Manager Make UK 1
Lilian Greenwood MP · Minister for Roads Department for Transport 1
Matthew Ogg · Senior Policy Manager Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) 1
Mr John McGookin · Acting National Officer, Docks, Rail, Ferries and… Unite the Union 1
Oriel Petry · Senior Vice President Airbus 1
Professor Chris Brace · Professor of Automotive Propulsion and Executive … University of Bath (IAAPS + Institute of Coding) 1
Rebecca Schapira · Deputy Director for Advanced Manufacturing Department for Business and Trade 1
Sarah Maclean CBE · Chief Executive Officer Skills England 1
Tom Chant MBE · Chief Executive Society of Maritime Industries 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
5 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Chief Executive, Society of Maritime Industries relating to Ski…