“The King’s Speech signals that the Government is shifting from ambition to delivery. The priority now must be action. The UK cannot afford further delays to major infrastructure and energy projects.

“Engineers are ready to help deliver at pace, but government must also confront the growing engineering skills gap. A National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy is now essential if ministers are to turn ambition into reality.”

“The Railways Bill is an opportunity to refocus the rail network around reliability, accessibility and passenger confidence. Reform must deliver a railway that is more efficient, better connected and easier to use for everyone.

“Inclusive design and whole-system engineering should be built into reform from the start, not treated as an afterthought. Accessibility is fundamental to improving performance, rebuilding trust and unlocking the full value of the rail network.”

Commenting on Energy, James Partington, Director of Engineering Policy and Impact at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:

“The Energy Independence Bill will be central to strengthening energy security, boosting sovereign capability and keeping net zero on track.

 

“Reforms to the nuclear sector, alongside rapid renewable energy deployment and planning reforms, have the potential to strengthen UK energy resilience and accelerate the delivery of reliable low-carbon power.

 

“The focus must now shift firmly to delivery. Turning legislation into real infrastructure will require sustained investment in engineering skills and workforce capacity. Getting this right is critical to delivering an energy system that is secure, affordable and built for the future.”

 

“We welcome the Government’s continued focus on vocational education and apprenticeships, which are vital to tackling youth unemployment and building the skilled engineering workforce the UK needs.

"We also urge stronger support for SMEs and clearer technical career pathways, removing barriers that prevent industry from training young people and helping them access and succeed in engineering careers. A National Engineering and Technology Workforce Strategy is essential to delivering the Government’s wider ambitions.”