Today (13 November 2024) Luke Myer MP joined North East Labour MPs in Parliament to meet senior leadership from Hitachi Rail, as efforts continued to secure the long-term future of the Newton Aycliffe train manufacturing plant.

The meeting followed sustained campaigning since the summer, including site visits, joint letters to ministers, and repeated engagement with the Department for Transport.

MPs were briefed on progress since the General Election and discussed the remaining risks created by gaps in the order book, alongside the need for a stable pipeline of future work.

The discussion took place against a backdrop of renewed ministerial involvement and growing recognition that rail manufacturing must be treated as a strategic national capability. Labour have ministers reiterated their intention to move away from short-term fixes and towards a long-term industrial strategy for rolling stock, supporting skilled jobs and domestic supply chains.

Luke Myer MP said:

“This is about whether we are serious as a country about backing skilled manufacturing and planning for the long term. Since July, I’ve worked with colleagues to keep the pressure on and make sure this site stays on the government’s agenda. There has been real progress, but we will not let this drift. The workforce deserves certainty, and we will keep pushing until that is secured.”