Member News – 14 October 2026

14 October 2026

In this issue:

• New Logistics UK Compliance Report 2026.
• Make Work Pay: duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union update.
• Newly published ZEHID Annual Report.
• Reminder: Member feedback requested for Logistics UK’s ZEV Mandate review response.

Policy updates

New Logistics UK Compliance Report 2026

Last week (8 October), Logistics UK launched The Compliance Report 2026, which provides in-depth analysis of the latest road regulation compliance performance trends across the UK logistics sector. Drawing on data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC), the report also includes analysis from Logistics UK’s latest Logistics Performance Tracker. The report covers key themes such as operator licensing trends, tests and inspections, public inquiry outcomes as well as HGV drivers and vocational entitlement.

Overall, findings show that despite facing persistent cost pressures and ongoing economic uncertainty, logistics operators have continued to demonstrate exceptional levels of compliance and safety, with higher MOT pass rates, more HGVs assessed as “low risk” on DVSA’s compliance rating, and fewer collisions involving HGVs than in the previous 12 months.

Members can read the report in full here.

Make Work Pay: Duty to inform workers of their right to join a trade union

The government has published its response to the consultation on the duty for employers to inform workers of their right to join a union.

The new duty will now come into force on 1 January 2027, rather than 30 October 2026 as previously anticipated. The final implementation timetable has been determined following completion of the consultation process and consideration of stakeholder feedback. The latest information on the measure will be published on the employment rights readiness website, with further detailed guidance anticipated to be published in November.

Newly published ZEHID Annual Report 2026

The Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK in 2022 to accelerate the transition to zero-emission HGVs. The programme supports real-world trials of zero-emission trucks and eHGV charging infrastructure, with ZEHID findings aiming to help inform future industry and government decision-making.

Last week, the ZEHID Annual Report was published. It reflects on the current status of the programme, with more than 240 eHGVs and 40 charging sites already deployed across the UK.

Last week, the ZEHID Annual Report was published. It reflects on the current status of the programme, with more than 240 eHGVs and 40 charging sites already deployed across the UK.

By the end of 2026, the programme expects over 300 vehicles and 70 sites to be in use.

The report finds that eHGVs are now operating on commercial routes and can deliver substantial carbon savings while using significantly less energy than diesel vehicles. Fleet feedback has been positive, with drivers reporting quieter operation and improved vehicle performance.

However, significant barriers remain and include:

• High upfront vehicle costs.
• Payload constraints.
• Challenges with delivering charging infrastructure.

The report identifies grid connections and depot charging development as key bottlenecks that require coordinated action from industry, energy providers and policymakers. Logistics UK is actively engaging with the ZEHID programme and with members on these challenges. If you would like to share your experiences, or join our active Decarbonisation Working Group, please get in touch with Stephanie Haszczyn.

Reminder: Member feedback requested for Logistics UK’s ZEV Mandate review response

As Logistics UK finalises its response to the ZEV Mandate review, we are keen to hear from our van operator members on the issues being considered as part of the review. The ZEV Mandate applies to cars and vans, and our response is focused on ensuring the policy works effectively for the van sector.

The deadline for feedback is the end of this week. If you have views on any aspect of the review, or would like to discuss your experiences and concerns, please email Stephanie Haszczyn to set up a meeting.

Member input is invaluable in helping us develop an evidence-based response that reflects the operational realities facing van operators and supports a practical transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Quick briefs

Final call for the climate adaptation inquiry: have your say

Logistics UK would like your views for its response to the government’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) on how the UK can better adapt to the impacts of climate change.

If your business has experienced disruption from extreme weather, including flooding, storms or drought, or if you have taken steps to improve your business resilience, we welcome your insights. It is essential we hear from members about the challenges and opportunities climate adaptation presents for the logistics industry.

Please contact Lamech Solomon to contribute to our response.

Waste Forum Working Group meeting

The latest meeting of Logistics UK’s Waste Forum Working Group took place this week at Thalia Waste Management’s Waterbeach site, bringing together members to discuss some of the key challenges and priorities facing the waste sector.

The meeting included presentations on health and safety performance within the industry, covering injury and fatality statistics, incidents involving machinery such as automatic bin lifts and vehicle fires. Members also heard practical insights into supporting employees who have experienced verbal or physical abuse while carrying out their duties, with a focus on staff wellbeing and organisational response.

Cyber security was another key topic, with expert guidance provided on emerging risks and the steps operators can take to strengthen their resilience against cyber threats.

In addition, members discussed the ongoing development of a waste module for DVSA’s Earned Recognition scheme and shared common operational issues raised with Logistics UK’s Member Advice Centre.

The Waste Forum Working Group provides a platform for members to share best practice, discuss regulatory and operational challenges and contribute to industry initiatives affecting the waste sector.

Members interested in joining the group or finding out more should contact the group’s secretary, Tom Griffith.

Transaid Corporate Report Q3

Transport charity Transaid has published its quarterly report (linked below) on its activities for Logistics UK, its corporate partner.

Fundraising highlights include the fourth annual Transaid Cup, raising more than £24,000 on 9 July, being the charity partner of the Multimodal Awards, which raised £13,700 and the UK Warehousing Association’s Awards for Excellence, which raised £5,000.

Read the report here.

Insight and reports

Don’t forget to download your free copy of The Logistics Report Summary 2026

Our new Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 provides an at-a-glance picture of the scale, reach and economic importance of the UK logistics sector.

The booklet brings together the latest headline statistics on the sector’s contribution to GVA and employment, alongside the volume and value of goods moved and traded and key freight flows across the network.

Available on our website now, click here to download your free copy.

Support and advice

Rear underrun protection

Q. Are there any legal restrictions on removing a fixed rear underrun bar from a newly delivered 6×4 rigid tipper? The vehicle needs to tip into an asphalt paver, and unlike our existing tippers which are supplied without rear underrun protection, this vehicle arrived with one fitted.

1. A. Regulation 49 of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 provides an exemption for vehicles designed to be unloaded by tipping rearwards. However, as this is a new vehicle, you should check the Type Approval documentation. If the vehicle was type approved with the bar fitted, its removal may constitute a notifiable modification.

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) weeks

Q. Can we have some advice on ISO week inspections please?

A. An ISO week inspection system schedules vehicle safety inspections using ISO 8601 week numbers, with each week running from Monday to Sunday. This can provide flexibility when planning inspections, but the key requirement is that the maximum inspection interval stated on your maintenance planner is not exceeded.

When using ISO weeks, inspections are often brought forward slightly to fit the schedule rather than being delayed. Any variation should be risk assessed, justified, and documented. Properly managed, ISO week scheduling is an acceptable and practical approach to maintenance planning.

GB domestic hours recording

Q. We currently record domestic driving hours in a logbook. Some suppliers are providing digital solutions for recording, I thought digital solutions were being talked about but not permitted?

A. The GB domestic drivers’ hours rules apply to most PSVs and HGVs that do not have to follow the assimilated rules. GB rules require records; Government guidance explicitly states that drivers must record their hours on a weekly record sheet or on a tachograph, which means using digital recording exclusively is not currently compliant.

We are continuing to push government and officials to allow digital recording and hope to be able update members with positive news soon.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.

Have your say

Logistics UK works to ensure the voice of the logistics industry is heard by government and decision-makers. By taking part in our surveys, members provide the evidence and insight that help shape policy discussions, consultation responses and industry campaigns.

A reminder that our new quarterly Logistics Performance Tracker Q3 2026 survey is now open for members.

This short, confidential survey is designed to gather insights into the real-world performance, challenges and opportunities across the UK logistics sector.

Along with our baseline indicators on economic outlook and supply chain performance, questions this quarter focus on extreme weather and business resilience, regional devolution and strategic planning, and contingency planning.

Responses are used to support our policy work and engagement with key government officials.

Take the survey here