The result of the EU referendum will have a material effect on UK engineering which accounts for some 27% of UK GDP and over half of its exports. It is critical to the future of the UK that the government’s plan is informed by a clear understanding of the potential solutions, opportunities and risks from the perspective of UK engineering.

In this context, it will be important to ensure that the UK maintains its position as a centre of world class engineering research, remains embedded in setting globally recognised codes and standards, has access to the skills that industry needs and retains competitiveness in export markets.

CIHT has joined in with the (38) organisations representing the engineering profession to act together in the national interest by supporting the government in the forthcoming negotiations to secure the best possible outcome for the UK.

At a meeting on 29 June, the organisations agreed that they must cooperate to provide evidence-based advice to government and ensure that the needs of all sectors that have a dependence on engineering are represented and understood. This initiative will be led by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

A project has been established to consult widely across engineering and beyond, gather evidence, analyse the risks and opportunities and produce advice to underpin a strong negotiating position and a positive result for the UK.

As the profession prepares its advice to government, letter was sent outlining the offer of support to the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, whose team at the European Union Unit is leading the transition planning. This is an offer of support for the duration of the planning stage as well as to those undertaking the future negotiations.

Philip Greenish CBE, Chief Executive of the Academy, says: “Never in my lifetime has there been an issue that so emphatically requires strategic collaboration across the engineering profession. We are rising to this challenge and pooling our resources to provide government with the best advice and access to our networks to inform its planning and leadership role. We are building a new, proactive framework for making engineering advice available to government on these critical matters for now and for the duration of the change process.”

CIHT chief executive Sue Percy said: “The political ramifications of a vote to leave have contributed to uncertainty across the transport infrastructure sector and engineering as a whole. Our sector needs to work together to reduce this and we would like to see clarification on key projects including HS2 and airport expansion that had been identified in the National Infrastructure Plan. CIHT will also be reviewing the potential impact of changes to funding across the devolved nations and as part of the City Region devolution deals.”

“CIHT is in a key position to act as a facilitator to bring together all parts of the sector to discuss ways to minimise disruption and respond quickly to opportunities that will emerge from leaving the EU,” she added. “We will be reviewing the ongoing discussions in more detail and will be keeping our members informed of any future developments.”

Notes for editors
1. The engineering profession’s response to the EU referendum is being coordinated through the Engineering the future (EtF) policy group. EtF is an alliance of professional engineering institutions and national organisations that between them represent 450,000 professional engineers. Through EtF, the engineering profession speaks with one voice on engineering issues of national and international importance. It provides independent – and expert – engineering advice to government. It promotes understanding of the critical contribution that engineering makes to national policy and to addressing the grand challenges.

EtF membership comprises the UK’s 35 engineering institutions plus EngineeringUK, the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering.