Export
Post-EU transition, trade missions and being at the centre of negotiations RIA’s Policy Director Kate Jennings and Exports Director Neil Walker give their thoughts on how to ensure the UK’s rail supply chain is prepared for new export opportunities
T
he railway has a key role to play in postBrexit, post-coronavirus economic recovery, the UK’s economic growth and in generating the inward investment the UK needs to support the much-heralded ‘Build Back Better’ agenda. Four and a half years on from an EU referendum which saw Britain vote to leave the EU, and, since 31 January 2020, a 12-month status quo transition period, companies are now preparing for changes to the way that business is conducted with European countries as well as new trade partners around the world. Preparedness is, of course, key to business survival but this has been difficult due to the protracted, and then extended, trade talks between the EU and the UK. As 2020 drew to a close, a post-Brexit agreement on trade and other issues was finally agreed on Christmas Eve, avoiding the anticipated disruption of no-deal. The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community and has some 300 companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people. It spent the transition period planning for different scenarios in an effort to support its members and the wider industry. Kate Jennings, RIA’s Policy Director, and
Neil Walker, Exports Director, are leading the association’s efforts on post EU transition work, providing essential support for RIA members. Both are determined to work with members to fully understand what the rail sector needs in order to navigate the challenges and flourish in a post-transition environment, and also to seize
upon the opportunities that exist in trading with non-EU countries. Kate is no stranger to strategic thinking on relationships with the EU, having been the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Head of Rail Strategy Projects Division and, from December 2019 to February 2020, working on the development of transport policy for the EU exit. She joined RIA in March 2020. Key trade asks In 2020, RIA called on the Government to consider rail as a key part of future trade policy, highlighting five key trade asks: For rail to be included in the negotiation of free trade deals Access to an appropriately skilled workforce and mobility for skilled UK workers The consistent application of standards with mutual recognition/equivalence and nondiscrimination as core principles in all trade agreements Smooth cross-border trade rules Reciprocal rules on market access and domestic content
8 | January 2021
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