Member News – 13 May 2026

13 May 2026

In this issue:

• Zero emission vehicles – regulatory flexibility granted.
• Government outlines its legislative programme for the year in the King’s Speech.
• Middle East disruption: reminder to complete the Logistics UK survey by 22 May and updated briefing for members.
• DfT makes minor amendment to the Depot Charging Scheme.
• Logistics UK response to SOC2020 review consultation.
• DWP Logistics Innovation Workshop, 20 May.
• Vauxhall Bridge 18 tonne temporary weight restriction to be introduced.
• Ammonia industry survey.

Zero emission vehicles – regulatory flexibility granted

Following Logistics UK’s submission to the December 2024 consultation on regulatory flexibility for zero emission vehicles up to 4.25t, the Department for Transport confirmed, on 12 May 2026, that the necessary legislation has been agreed and will enter into force on 1 June 2026.

This legislation will mean that battery electric vans, greater than 3.5t up to 4.25t, will be classed the same as their ICE equivalent in terms of vehicle testing at MOT, their drivers will need to use GB domestic hours instead of assimilated ‘EU’ hours, and the vehicle will not be required to fit a tachograph.

This is a significant policy win for Logistics UK members transitioning to zero emission vehicles as part of their decarbonisation journey as it will reduce the administrative costs of running such vehicles, which has acted as a barrier to procurement until now.

The finalised version of the legislation will be available on the following website. Members with any queries should contact the Member Advice Centre.

Government outlines its legislative programme for the year in the King’s Speech

The King has today (13 May) delivered his King’s Speech, outlining the government’s legislative programme. Key announcements of relevance to the logistics sector include:

• The European Partnership Bill will provide the legal framework for closer UK–EU cooperation following the 2025 summit. It is expected to enable agreements in areas such as agri-food checks, emissions trading and energy, helping to reduce border friction, streamline processes and lower the cost of trading with the UK’s largest market.
• The Railways and Passenger Benefits Bill (formerly the Railways Bill) will establish Great British Railways as a single guiding body for the network. The legislation will embed consideration of rail freight within planning and operations, with clearer accountability for supporting freight growth and ensuring fair access to capacity.
• The Highways (Financing) Bill will introduce a new Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model to attract long-term private investment into major road infrastructure. This is intended to unlock delivery of nationally significant schemes, including the Lower Thames Crossing, improving network capacity and resilience on key freight corridors.
• The Civil Aviation Bill will support airport expansion, modernise airspace and reform slot allocation rules. These measures aim to increase capacity, improve efficiency and strengthen the UK’s position as an international aviation hub, with direct benefits for air freight connectivity and trade flows.
• The Energy Independence Bill will reform planning, regulation and market frameworks to accelerate clean energy deployment and significantly speed up grid infrastructure delivery. Measures to reduce delays in network connections and infrastructure build-out are particularly relevant for logistics, supporting depot electrification and the rollout of zero-emission HGV charging.
• The Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill will introduce a 60-day maximum payment term, strengthen penalties for late payment and limit the use of extended terms and disputes. This is designed to improve cash flow across supply chains, providing greater financial certainty for logistics SMEs.

Logistics UK Chief Executive, Ben Fletcher, was quoted in the King’s Speech Background Briefing document under the Highways (Financing) Bill. The full King’s Speech package can be read here.

Middle East disruption: reminder to complete the Logistics UK survey by 22 May and updated briefing for members

The Middle East conflict is continuing to impact logistics and supply chains, including pushing up the price of fuel and leading to increased costs associated with managing supply chain disruptions.

This is putting acute pressure on logistics businesses and, as logistics businesses typically operate on narrow margins, higher costs for consumers too.

Last month, Logistics UK wrote to the Chancellor expanding its asks beyond the previous call to extend the 5 pence per litre fuel duty freeze which is due to end in September. Additionally, we are calling for government to:

• Formally recognise logistics as a priority fuel user within its resilience planning.
• Include logistics in the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to cut electricity costs.
• Extend full expensing to leased zero-emission commercial vehicles.
• Introduce an incentive for logistics businesses to use liquid low carbon fuels, to support the shift away from traditional fuels.
• Pause business rates increases and reforming the system.
• Take a longer-term approach to mode shift grants, to enable businesses to plan alternative transport approaches with greater confidence.

We are also:

• Expressing support for the government’s action to tackle late payments.
• Urging the government to monitor narratives related to profiteering and to manage media and social‑media communications to help prevent fuel and other commodity shortages driven by panic buying.

Logistics UK has a three-point strategy during this crisis: sharing insight with members; informing government and other key stakeholders of the impact on our sector; and urging government to provide support to our sector.

As part of this, we are collecting member feedback via the Logistics Performance Tracker survey.

Please complete our short survey on SurveyMonkey here before it closes on 22 May.

Read our latest Middle East update here which includes data on fuel prices.

DfT makes minor amendment to the Depot Charging Scheme

The Department for Transport (DfT) has made a minor amendment to the Depot Charging Scheme following engagement with the Energy Networks Association in recent weeks; it will now accept electricity bills as a form of evidence to confirm grid capacity. This change was made last week and should be visible for members going through the application form here.

Logistics UK response to SOC2020 review consultation

The Office for National Statistics recently closed its consultation looking into the evolution of Standard Occupation Codes (SOC), to reflect changes to the workforce due to technological developments, innovation, the use of new materials, or improved methods of production or delivery of services.

Logistics UK responded to the consultation and highlighted how SOC2020 does not sufficiently represent the set of fast‑growing specialist logistics occupations. These changes have been driven by a number of factors, including automation and changes in operational technology, network modelling and increasingly data‑driven compliance and ESG/carbon reporting. Based on the vacancy volumes and distinct skill content, Logistics UK has suggested key new roles in these areas should be included. Better representation of these roles in SOC would enable more accurate tracking of labour demand and shortages for modern logistics occupations, improve analysis of wage trends and workforce changes by ensuring these roles are consistently coded rather than dispersed into generic categories, and support skills planning and training alignment.

Logistics UK’s response can be viewed in full here.

DWP Logistics Innovation Workshop, 20 May

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is inviting logistics employers and stakeholders to attend a Logistics Sector Recruitment Innovation Workshop, hosted by GXO on Wednesday 20 May at East Midlands Gateway, Kegworth. This sector‑specific event will bring together employers, trade bodies, and government to collaborate on recruitment challenges, Jobcentre Plus support and priorities from the Get Britain Working white paper. Chaired by Theresa Wootten, Head of National Recruitment & Partnerships at DWP, the workshop will also spotlight innovative hiring practices, employment support offers and inclusive recruitment.

If members would like to attend, please contact Head of Skills Policy at Logistics UK, Bethany Windsor, by Friday 15 May.

Vauxhall Bridge 18 tonne temporary weight restriction to be introduced

Transport for London (TfL) will be introducing a weight restriction for vehicles over 18t on the Vauxhall Bridge in London from 1 July 2026. This is a result of recent inspections that have detected deterioration in some elements of the bridge that will require remedial work. It is expected to be several years before the restriction is lifted.

TfL estimates, based on traffic monitoring, that this restriction would affect around 200 vehicles per day, which will be required to use a signed diversion. The bridge has been closed to abnormal load transport since 2023. TfL expects to shortly appoint specialist consultants to undertake an options study which will help identify the most appropriate approach to ensure the long-term resilience of the bridge. The progress of this work and availability of funding, will inform timescales for construction.

For more information please visit River crossing restrictions in central London – Transport for London.

Ammonia industry survey

The UK Ammonia Alliance (UKAA), is inviting Logistics UK members to take part in a new survey on the socio-economic impacts of developing the UK market for low-carbon ammonia.

This survey aims to create the first clear picture of the benefits on offer to the UK in terms of growth in jobs, skills, and investment from developing the UK’s low-carbon ammonia industry – as well as opportunities and barriers to achieving this growth.

The results of this survey will be used to inform the development of the UKAA Low-Carbon Ammonia Roadmap. This document will chart how the UK’s low-carbon ammonia sector can evolve over the coming years. Its development has been welcomed by ministers and officials, and it will be used by the UKAA to support discussions across government and industry.

The survey closes on Friday 15 May and should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Responses will be aggregated and anonymised. Complete the survey here.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.