Member News – 04 March 2026

04 March 2026

Your weekly member email from Logistics UK sharing the latest updates addressing industry-relevant developments, legislation and compliance updates and campaigns to help you stay informed.

In this issue:

• Middle East conflict: impact on logistics.
• Government launches call for evidence on the future of the UK downstream oil sector.
• Government updates and extends Workplace Charging Scheme grant.
• Logistics UK weights and dimensions policy workshop.
• Logistics UK responds to DfT’s EV signage survey.
• Research for the UK Logistics Finance and Investment Index.

Update on the conflict in the Middle East

The start of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which has escalated to include attacks on many surrounding countries in the region, has already impacted access to both the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, disrupting supply chains and critical routes for shipping and air freight. 

Approximately one fifth of the world’s oil supplies move through the Strait of Hormuz every single day and with this shipping corridor disrupted, the global price of oil is already climbing: this increased cost will soon be seen at the UK’s pumps. Logistics UK has responded, highlighting that the sector already operates on incredibly narrow margins and any significant fuel price rises would have to be passed on to the customer.

Logistics UK has urged the Chancellor to focus on bolstering business confidence and supply chain resilience, including by reviewing her decision to begin increasing fuel duty this year (as announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget), to prevent further inflationary pressure at a time when the global economy is so disrupted. 

More broadly, the escalating military situation in the Middle East risks seriously impacting international trade. We are maintaining close contact with government to monitor developments and help mitigate the impact of these disruptions on UK businesses and consumers, and the risks to logistics personnel operating across the Middle East.

Logistics UK will be sharing regular updates on the conflict and subsequent impact on routes, oil and fuel, and freight rates to help members stay informed. 

Read the latest update here.

Government launches call for evidence on the future of the UK downstream oil sector

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a call for evidence on the future of the UK downstream oil sector, seeking to build evidence, views and ideas to inform a future fuels framework. 

The call for evidence sets out that the downstream oil sector is an integral part of the economy and will be in the future, with fossil based, sustainable and synthetic fuel products continuing to be part of the energy mix in the near-to-medium-term, supporting the transition to decarbonise. As the sector decarbonises, including through technologies such as hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), it is expected to produce low carbon fuels and other products for the long term. 

Questions cover a range of topics including energy security and domestic refining capacity, demand creation policies for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable transport fuel, as well as new infrastructure to support the transition to net zero. 

Logistics UK will be responding before the deadline of 20 April. To share your views, please contact Policy Manager, Katie Adams.

Government updates and extends Workplace Charging Scheme grant

The government has announced an increase in the amount of grant funding available for businesses who are looking to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at their workplace. The grant has been increased from £350 per socket to £500 per socket and has been extended until 31 March 2027. The government has indicated that this is the final year of the funding. Logistics UK will continue to work with members to ensure that support for businesses is available where and when it is needed.

Logistics UK weights and dimensions policy workshop

Logistics UK is launching its policy work into addressing the current weights and dimensions restrictions in the UK for HGVs. Working in collaboration with other trade associations for a unified industry voice, we need your business use cases and experiences to strengthen our policy asks.

To gather the evidence we need, we will be holding a virtual workshop on 23 April, from 10:00-11.30. We would like to hear from you about your experience with any of the following areas:

• Where the heavier battery in an HGV powertrain has impacted your utilisation of electric vehicles.
• Where your business model runs full loads and would be positively impacted by the introduction of longer or heavier vehicle regulations.
• Where your organisation has compiled research into business operations and whether these could be improved by longer or heavier vehicles.
• How addressing the weights and dimensions issues for electric HGVs would enable your business to operate more electric HGVs.

Please email Head of Road Freight and English Regions Policy, Maddi Solloway-Price  if you are interested in joining the workshop.

Logistics UK responds to DfT’s EV signage survey

Logistics UK has submitted its response to the Department for Transport (DfT)’s electric vehicle (EV) signage survey highlighting the importance of clear EV signage on UK roads. As an overview, the response raised the following points:

• Nationally consistent symbols and legends for EV charging on the strategic road network (SRN) are essential.
• Variable messaging signs would be helpful to indicate any malfunctioning infrastructure and to streamline use, should the charging infrastructure be out of service.
• Drivers must be reassured that they will be able to charge eHGVs and must also feel confident that there are the necessary facilities for them to take a break whilst their vehicle is charging. Where a dedicated eHGV charging symbol is shown, adequate driver facilities must coexist. 

Research for the UK Logistics Finance and Investment Index

Logistics UK and HSBC are inviting members to take part in research for a UK Logistics Finance and Investment Index.

The Logistics Finance and Investment Index will become a leading indicator of sentiment for the supply chain and logistics industry to better understand how, where and why companies are investing for future growth.

We are engaging with industry leaders across the UK, at logistics companies, retailers and manufacturers.  In these challenging times, it is vital to understand the appetite for investment and the factors driving strategic decision making.

To take part, please send an email to Mark O’Bornick at Analytiqa, our research partner.

Please be assured:

• Analytiqa only request a few minutes of your time, at your convenience, to answer around 25 multiple-choice questions.
• Confidentiality is guaranteed. Respondent’s answers are held with Analytiqa only – they are not published or disclosed to HSBC or Logistics UK.
• Industry opinions count! By assisting us with this important research you are helping inform and educate the sector and all its stakeholders.

Once we have completed the research, contributors will receive a copy of the report which will be launched at Logistics UK’s Finance Forum event in July.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.