August 2022 Delivering Scotland’s circular economy – route map to 2025 and beyond 1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
This submission constitutes the response from the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and RIA Scotland to the consultation on the proposals for a Route Map to 2025, a strategic plan to deliver Scotland’s zero waste and circular economy ambitions.
2.
BACKGROUND TO RIA AND RIA SCOTLAND
2.1.
RIA is the trade association for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has over 300 companies in membership covering all aspects of rolling stock and infrastructure supply and covering a diverse range of products and services. As well as most of the Tier 1 contractors and large, multi-national companies, over 60% of RIA’s membership base is comprised of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
2.2.
RIA Scotland supports rail suppliers across the nation, providing a voice for the sector. RIA Scotland is led by a Leadership Group, consisting of Scottish rail suppliers, and provides its members with extensive services, including: • Representation of the supply chain industry’s interests to the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, ScotRail, rail clients and other key stakeholders; • Providing opportunities for dialogues and networking between members; • Supporting innovation through the Unlocking Innovation programme and university partnerships; • Provision of technical, commercial and political information; • Export promotion including organising UK pavilions at key rail exhibitions overseas.
2.3.
A 2021 report ‘The Economic Contribution of UK Rail’1 found that in Scotland, rail contributes £3.2bn Gross Value Added to the economy, 56,100 jobs, and £1bn in tax revenue.
2.4.
RIA Scotland members have identified four key priorities to work on together with the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and other key stakeholders: • Decarbonisation: The rail supply chain stands ready to deliver the 2035 rail services decarbonisation target and to support the wider decarbonisation of Scotland by 2045. • Efficient delivery: Rail suppliers recognise the imperative, now more than ever for the rail industry to be efficient and cost effective. • Innovation: Innovation can support decarbonisation ambitions and the need to deliver quicker, better and cheaper while also contributing to economic growth and creating export opportunities. • Skills: Skills and people are necessary for the rail sector to grow and deliver successfully and young people need to see the rail sector as an attractive workplace. These priorities will be supported by a clear and stable pipeline of opportunities.
1
https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/OE_2021.aspx
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