Member News – 09 September 2026

09 September 2026

In this issue:

• Chancellor outlines devolution, infrastructure and regulatory reforms to drive growth.
• Government announced additional rail freight growth target.
• New policing team announced to tackle illegal number plates.
• Proposal for Digital ADR Certificates of Approval.
• Maritime apprenticeship standards facing retirement.

Policy updates

Chancellor outlines devolution, infrastructure and regulatory reforms to drive growth

Speaking at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in the West Midlands, Chancellor John Healey outlined measures to support growth through infrastructure investment, devolution, regulatory reform and skills development.

The Chancellor acknowledged that energy, regulation, planning and labour costs are increasing pressures on businesses. He committed to reducing the burden of business regulation by 25% by the end of this Parliament and extending judicial review reforms to all major infrastructure projects to help prevent unnecessary delays. Ministers will also review infrastructure delivery costs, including the cost of rail projects.

A forthcoming roadmap for fiscal devolution will give local leaders greater control over funding, including increased business rates retention and, from 2028, a share of local income tax for Mayoral Strategic Authorities. South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, North East England and Cardiff Capital Region will also become Strategic Partners of the National Wealth Fund, helping them develop regional investment projects.

The Chancellor also highlighted plans to align technical education and local skills provision more closely with employers’ needs.

Logistics UK welcomes the focus on reducing business costs, accelerating infrastructure delivery and addressing skills shortages, and will work with government to ensure the measures support efficient and resilient supply chains, whilst giving our sector the confidence to invest.

Government announced additional rail freight growth target

On 8 September, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced new interim 2040 targets for rail freight growth.

The 2050 target is to increase freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by at least 75%.

The government has now introduced a 2040 target to increase freight moved by rail in net tonne kilometres by at least 40%.

The Transport Secretary also indicated where she sees increases by commodity type:

• An increase of 65% in high value goods in net tonne kilometres.
• An increase of 45% in construction goods in net tonne kilometres.
• An increase of 7% in critical goods in net tonne kilometres.

The Railways Bill, which is currently before Parliament, provides for the Transport Secretary to set a rail freight growth target for Great British Railways (GBR). This will ensure that the duty to grow rail freight will be embedded in the new body’s decision-making.

In this way, the government’s target setting for the growth of rail freight will have statutory status and continue to play a key role in ensuring that rail freight continues to prosper as an integral part of the railway.

Logistics UK continues to lobby on the Bill as it moves through Parliament.

New policing team announced to tackle illegal number plates

The government has launched a new roads policing team to help tackle the use of illegal number plates and disrupt the organised crime groups that rely on them.

Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), the new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre (NRPCC) will bring police forces across England together to share intelligence, data and technology, helping officers identify and stop offenders more quickly. Illegal number plates are often used to avoid speeding, parking and clean air zone penalties, but they are also linked to serious criminal activity, including the movement of stolen and illegal goods. Vehicles displaying illegal or altered plates are more difficult for authorities to trace when involved in crime.

As part of the initiative, police will trial new technology designed to detect number plates that have been modified to avoid camera detection. This includes so-called “ghost plates”, which use reflective or transparent coverings to make registration marks unreadable by enforcement cameras.

Drivers using incorrectly displayed number plates can face fines of up to £1,000.

The move also builds on ongoing work between the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and police forces to identify illegal plates, support roadside enforcement activity and investigate businesses involved in their supply.

The government is currently considering tougher penalties and updated standards for number plates as part of its wider road safety programme.

Proposal for digital ADR Certificates of Approval

DVSA and DfT are exploring the introduction of digitally issued ADR Certificates of Approval. Operators would receive certificates electronically and be responsible for printing and carrying a colour copy in the vehicle, maintaining compliance with current ADR requirements.

The change could reduce delays, simplify certificate replacements and improve administrative efficiency. DVSA is also considering making limited vehicle approval information available online, without publishing operator details.

The UK has also submitted a proposal to UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) to allow fully digital Certificates of Approval in future ADR regulations, although any international changes are unlikely to take effect before 2029.

The paper is available here.

Please send comments to Maddi Solloway-Price by 9 October 2026.

Maritime apprenticeship standards facing retirement

Skills England is currently consulting on the proposed retirement of several maritime apprenticeship standards, including Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember, Officer of the Watch (Near Coastal), Seafarer (Deck Rating) and Marina and Boatyard Operative. These standards support the development of specialist skills across parts of the maritime sector, and members with an interest in these occupations are encouraged to engage with the consultation before it closes on 18 September by getting in touch with Bethany Windsor, Head of Multimodal and Skills Policy.

Quick briefs

Logistics UK responds to consultation on the proposed Statement of Safety Principles for automated vehicles

Logistics UK has responded to the government’s consultation on the proposed Statement of Safety Principles for automated vehicles, supporting the framework as a strong foundation for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles across Great Britain.

In its response, Logistics UK agreed that automated vehicles should be required to perform to a standard equivalent to a careful and competent human driver, while stressing that automated freight vehicles must be assessed against standards appropriate to professional HGV operations. This reflects the unique characteristics of commercial vehicles, including greater vehicle mass, longer stopping distances, load stability considerations and interactions with vulnerable road users.

The organisation also supported the use of behavioural principles to assess vehicle performance and highlighted the need for additional consideration of cybersecurity, system resilience, operating design domain transitions and ongoing safety monitoring.

Logistics UK emphasised that automated freight vehicles should not be viewed simply as larger passenger vehicles and called for freight-specific operational risks to be fully reflected within the authorisation framework. The response also urged continued alignment with international standards while maintaining public confidence and road safety.

Logistics UK responds to DfT consultation on in-use vehicle emissions

Logistics UK has responded to the Department for Transport’s consultation on regulating the environmental impact of in-use vehicle emissions. The response supports the principle that vehicles should continue to meet the emissions standards that applied when they were first approved, helping to improve air quality and maintain confidence in vehicle regulation.

The response calls for a proportionate and risk-based approach focused on deliberate emissions tampering and non-compliance, while recognising the operational realities faced by responsible fleet operators. Logistics UK stresses that operators should not be penalised for circumstances beyond their control, such as parts shortages, manufacturer delays, specialist repair requirements, or undisclosed historic modifications in acquired vehicles

The response also highlights the need for clear guidance on testing methodologies, evidential standards, and enforcement responsibilities. Any new regime should align with existing operator licensing and vehicle type-approval requirements and provide certainty for operators, maintenance providers, and enforcement agencies.

A9 temporary road closure

The A9 at Georgemas Junction will be closed on Wednesday 23 September from 9:00 until 15:00 and diversions will be in place.

Northbound traffic:

• HGVs: for HGVS travelling further North than the Achalone junction there will be a diversion at the Latheron Junction for vehicles to travel on the A99 via Wick,
• All other vehicles: diverted via the Achalone turn-off to Halkirk.

Southbound traffic:

• HGVs: diverted via Wick on the A99, rejoining the A9 at Latheron.
• All other vehicles: diverted via Halkirk, then along the single-track road towards Achalone Junction, reconnecting with the A9.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead for any journeys on this date.

M6 junctions 35 to 36 safety barrier scheme – 14 September to 11 December

National Highways is beginning work on a central reservation barrier replacement scheme on the M6 near Burton-in-Kendal, with the work set to begin on Monday 14 September and finish on Friday 11 December.

To enable the works to be carried out safely, lane 3 closures will be required in both northbound and southbound directions for the duration of the scheme.

These restrictions are necessary to protect both the workforce and road users and will include a 40mph speed restriction.

Full closures:

15 to 19 September – M6 southbound junctions 35 to 36

Closed overnight (8pm-6am).

17 September – M6 junction 36 northbound exit slip road

Closed overnight (8pm-6am).

Lane closures:

14 to 27 September – M6 northbound junctions 35 to 36

Lanes 1 and 2 closed overnight (8pm-6am).

28 September to 2 October – M6 northbound junctions 35 to 36

Lanes 2 and 3 closed overnight (8pm-6am).

National vehicle Crime Intelligence Unit (NaVCIS) Freight bulletin

NaVCIS has shared the latest fortnightly intelligence bulletin, outlining arrests, incidents and investigations ongoing.

The bulletin can be downloaded here.

Support and advice

DVSA enforcement sanctions

Q. We are writing a new policy which will include details of the action DVSA may take at the roadside. Are there any documents we can refer to?

A. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes its Enforcement Sanctions Policy, which was last updated in May 2026. This sets out the action DVSA traffic examiners will take when dealing with most offences identified during roadside checks. It is also used to ensure DVSA takes a consistent approach when carrying out checks.

The policy can be found here. Contact our Member Advice Centre if you have any questions about the policy.

Short-term operating centre

Q. We have won a short-term contract in a traffic area where we do not currently hold an operator licence. Do we need to apply for an operator licence in this new traffic area, or are there any exemptions?

A. If the contract is less than three months, there is no need to apply for an operator licence in the new traffic area. If you have secured a long-term contract and will be operating and basing vehicles in that traffic area for more than three months, you should apply for a new operator licence in that traffic area.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.