Logistics UK’s response to the government’s financial statement

News that the government is taking steps to stabilise the economy have been welcomed by business group Logistics UK, which represents the organisations that move all the goods which the UK economy needs. However, as Kate Jennings, the organisation’s Policy Director, says more detail is required to reassure business and provide time to enable effective planning and budgeting.

“A fast-moving industry like logistics needs reassurance that the government has both credible short term plans to manage costs and clear long term goals. Commitment to investment plans for road and rail, as well as policies which support delivery of zero carbon and ensure energy resilience remain crucial so that business can plan effectively today and for the future. With energy security risks, rising fuel costs, challenges to investment and skills shortages among the issues currently challenging the bottom line, uncertainty looks set to continue.  Logistics underpins every area of our economy, and we urge the Chancellor to provide full proposals on 31 October to ensure that businesses in our sector can have the confidence to continue investment and plan effectively, so that they can help power the economic recovery we all desire.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.