Member News – 16 September 2026

16 September 2026

In this issue:

• Autumn Budget representation: Logistics UK calls for action on business costs, investment and growth.
• Logistics UK hosts Shadow Transport Minister roundtable on accelerating infrastructure delivery.
• New government call for evidence on digital product records.
• Government launches inquiry into UK climate adaptation.

Policy updates

Autumn Budget representation: Logistics UK calls for action on business costs, investment and growth 

Logistics UK submitted its representation to HM Treasury on 9 September, ahead the Autumn Budget on 28 October. It sets out the sector’s key priorities to reduce business costs, unlock investment and strengthen resilient supply chains, and highlights the role the sector can play in reindustrialisation and getting young people into work. Key asks include maintaining the current rate of Fuel Duty, including the 5p per litre cut; reforming Business Rates to encourage investment; and for the sector to be included within the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICs).

Other asks of the Chancellor to support an affordable transition to a green economy include greater investment in charging and energy infrastructure, low-carbon fuels and innovation. The representation also calls for investment in skills, apprenticeships and workforce development, alongside streamlined border processes to reduce friction in UK-EU trade.

Logistics UK hosts Shadow Transport Minister roundtable on accelerating infrastructure delivery

Logistics UK hosted Shadow Minister of State for Transport Greg Smith MP on 14 September for a roundtable discussion focused on accelerating the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure and logistics projects. The discussion explored how reforms to planning, investment and project delivery could help unlock economic growth and strengthen UK supply chain resilience.

A key theme was the importance of a whole-system approach to logistics decarbonisation. Participants highlighted the need to ensure that infrastructure planning and investment support a range of technologies and fuels, recognising that no single solution will deliver the sector’s net zero ambitions.

The conversation explored the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), low-carbon fuels, electrification and future energy infrastructure, alongside the need to accelerate the delivery of enabling infrastructure across all transport modes. Attendees emphasised that providing businesses with the certainty and infrastructure needed to invest will be critical to supporting both decarbonisation and long-term economic growth.

Logistics UK will continue to engage with policymakers and industry stakeholders to ensure the needs of the logistics sector are reflected in efforts to improve infrastructure delivery and strengthen the UK’s connectivity, competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

New government call for evidence on digital product records

Logistics UK will be responding to the government’s call for evidence on the proposed introduction of Digital Product Records (DPRs), which aims to improve product information, traceability and regulatory compliance through digitalisation.

In its response, Logistics UK will highlight concerns about the lack of clarity over responsibility for DPR compliance across supply chains and caution against placing new obligations on transport managers and logistics providers without fully considering the associated training, operational and regulatory impacts. Logistics UK will also call for strong alignment and interoperability between any Great Britain framework and the European Union’s Digital Product Passport regime, which applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. This will help avoid duplicate reporting requirements, additional costs and unnecessary delays to cross-border trade.

The call for evidence closes on 21 September. Members intending to respond, or wishing to contribute to Logistics UK’s submission, should contact Senior Policy Manager Stephanie Haszczyn by 18 September.

Government launches inquiry into UK climate adaptation

Logistics UK will be responding to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) inquiry into climate adaptation, which is examining how government can strengthen the UK’s resilience to climate change.

As part of the inquiry, the EAC is seeking views on whether the UK’s critical infrastructure, including transport, water, communications and healthcare, is adequately prepared for increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves, drought and wildfires.

Logistics UK will be highlighting member experiences and evidence as part of its response. Members who would like to contribute are invited to contact Head of Decarbonisation Policy Lamech Solomon by 20 October.

Quick briefs

Utilities Services Working Group

Last week, Logistics UK’s Utilities Services Working Group met in Birmingham.

Members heard from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on licence renewals, common reasons for application rejections and developments to DVLA systems aimed at improving the user experience.

The group also received a presentation on the Structured Health Intervention For Truckers (SHIFT) programme, alongside updates on ongoing and planned research into sleep and how utility sector operators can support this work. Members shared operational challenges and the measures they have taken to address them, demonstrating the group’s commitment to sharing best practice and learning from one another. Attendees also received an update on Logistics UK’s policy activity and discussed other issues affecting the sector.

The Utilities Services Working Group is open to all Logistics UK members operating in the utilities and essential services sectors. To find out more or express an interest in joining the group, please contact the Group Secretary Dan Crutchington.

Logistics UK responds to government call for evidence on modernising the UK customs regime

Logistics UK has responded to HMRC and HM Treasury’s call for evidence on modernising the UK customs regime setting out reforms to reduce trade friction, duplication and unnecessary costs for businesses.

The response highlights the need to accelerate delivery of the Single Trade Window, improve interoperability between government and commercial systems, and ensure proposed changes to Low Value Imports do not create additional burdens for logistics operators.

The recommendations support Logistics UK’s wider Trade-Led Growth campaign by making it easier and more cost-effective for UK businesses to trade internationally, helping to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of supply chains.

Members can view the response in full here.

Logistics UK highlights decarbonisation priorities for Senedd committee

Logistics UK has submitted its response to the Climate Change, Environment, Sustainability and Rural Affairs Committee’s consultation on its priorities for the current Senedd term.

The short, open-ended consultation provided an opportunity to highlight the sector’s key environmental and decarbonisation priorities in Wales. Reflecting Logistics UK’s wider national policy position, the response focused on three key areas:

• Priority 1: grid capacity and electricity connections.
• Priority 2: support for low-carbon fuels.
• Priority 3: ensuring regulation supports the transition to zero-emission vehicles, including consideration of vehicle weights and dimensions.

Logistics UK also highlighted the importance of beginning delivery of the Maritime and Logistics Plan, published by the previous Welsh Government in March 2026, and welcomed the committee’s support in progressing the plan during this Senedd term.

Members can view the response in full here.

National Cyber Security Centre survey on passkeys

As cyber threats continue to grow, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is seeking input from Logistics UK members to better understand awareness and adoption of passkeys.

Passkeys are a secure, passwordless way to sign in to websites and apps using device biometrics, such as Face ID or fingerprints, or a device PIN. They offer a more secure alternative to traditional passwords and multi-factor authentication.

The NCSC is encouraging organisations to adopt passkeys wherever possible and has launched a short survey to assess current levels of awareness and use. Members are invited to complete the questionnaire here.

OPAL Supply Chain – August Operational Update Report

The National vehicle Crime Intelligence Unit (NaVCIS) Freight Desk is working in partnership with police colleagues at the OPAL Supply Chain Desk to tackle freight and supply chain crime across the UK.

Members can access the latest OPAL Supply Chain August Operational Update Report, which provides an overview of recent activity, intelligence and enforcement work.

Read the report here.

Support and advice

ADR1C – faulty printer

Q. We have taken an ADR vehicle in for its ADR test and been informed that there is an issue with the printer and are unable to print off the ADR1C. Would we be able to operate the vehicle until we receive the pass certificate?

A. Unfortunately not, as ADR 8.1.2 states:

‘Documents to be carried on the transport unit’ include the ‘The certificate of approval’, referred to in 9.1.3 (ADR 1C), must be carried on the vehicle.

DVSA and DfT are currently reviewing the process and submitting a proposal to introduce digitally generated ADR Certificates of Approval that remain fully compliant with the current ADR requirements. Certificates could be issued electronically to operators, who would then be responsible for printing and carrying a colour copy in the vehicle in accordance with ADR 8.1.2.2 and 9.1.3.

More details can be found here.

Anderson leads

Q. We have been awarded some specialised ADR work which requires the use of an Anderson Lead. Would we be able to fit and use an Anderson Lead on a vehicle that has been ADR tested?

A. An Anderson Lead may be used however, it would have to meet the requirements of ADR 9.2.2 ‘Electrical Equipment’.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.