New economic research shows the value of rail to the UK is bigger than
previously thought
New economic research from Oxford Economics, published by the Railway Industry Association (RIA)
and 10 rail sector partners, has shown that the economic value of the UK rail network is significantly
higher than previously thought.
New figures show that the UK’s rail system:
- Contributes over £36bn annually to the UK economy (a greater economic impact than the food,
drink and tobacco manufacturing and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries);
- Provides around 600,000 jobs (employing more people than the entire workforce of Birmingham);
- Generates £11bn annually in tax revenue; and
- Generates £2.20 of income from every £1 spent on the rail network.
The Government is currently using figures that show the UK rail sector employs 240,000 people and
has an economic value of rail at £10.4bn – however, these figures do not take into account the wider
rail network, including metro services and catering and retail at stations.
On the publication of the report, Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association,
said:
“The report published today shows that the economic value of rail to the UK is considerably bigger
than previously thought. These new figures of around £36bn GVA and 600,000 jobs take into account
the full impact of the rail industry and include areas such as metro services, rail stations and related
catering and retail, which are often not included in other studies.
“The implications of this report are clear. The UK rail system should not be seen just as a vital mode
of travel – connecting businesses, friends and family, and visitors to the UK – but also as a key industry
for the economy in its own right. We urge the Government to consider and use the findings of this
report when developing its Industrial Strategy agenda, negotiating trade deals with other countries
once we have left the EU, and when promoting our world-class exports offering overseas generally.”
Steve Cocliff, Managing Director, VolkerRail Group – one of the 10 supplier partners to the report –
said:
“We welcome the findings of the report today. At VolkerRail, the work we undertake creates a
significant number of job, training and business opportunities either directly or through our supply
chain, with a large proportion of the revenue generated feeding back into the local communities we
work in. It is therefore very positive to see the economic benefits companies in the rail sector set out
so clearly in this research”.
Stephen Joseph, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport, said:
"Rail is a low carbon and highly skilled industry. This new research highlights just how big a
contribution it makes to the economy. There is a very strong case for the Government to build on this
strength with a long-term investment strategy, including support for a long-term electrification
programme, to promote rail as a pillar of the UK economy."
Notes to Editors
- The Full Report can be found here and the Executive Summary can be found here.