Member News – 22 July 2026

22 July 2026

In this issue:

• New Prime Minister appoints Cabinet.
• Carbon Borders Adjustment Mechanism Update.
• New consultation launched for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
• DVSA updates M2 and M3 IVA Manual.
• Northern Ireland Harbours Bill.
• Moving, exporting or placing deforestation-free products on the market in Northern Ireland.
• UK-India Free Trade Agreement now in force.
• TransiT and DARe workshop – 3 September.
• Transport Secretary engages with EU Commissioner on EES border checks.
• M42 Junction 6 Bickenhill Bridge closure.
• Weekend closures at M3 junction 9.

Policy updates

New Prime Minister appoints Cabinet

Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July. Several key Cabinet appointments are of particular relevance to the logistics sector:

• Chancellor of the Exchequer – Former Defence Secretary John Healey MP has been appointed Chancellor.
• Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade – Jonathan Reynolds MP will lead the newly expanded Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. The department brings together business and trade responsibilities with most functions previously held by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which is being abolished. Logistics UK has issued a press release welcoming his reappointment to the role and the continued focus on supporting business and economic growth.
• Secretary of State for Transport – Heidi Alexander MP has been reappointed to the role providing continuity for the department as it continues to progress key transport and infrastructure policies as well as the freight plan.
• Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero – Miatta Fahnbulleh MP has been appointed to lead the department. She has previously held ministerial positions in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

A full list of ministerial appointments can be found here.

Appointments to junior ministerial roles are expected to be announced throughout the week.

Logistics UK has written to the new Prime Minister and issued a statement welcoming his appointment. We have also contacted key Cabinet ministers and will continue to engage with ministers across government to ensure the priorities of the logistics sector are understood and reflected in future policy development. We will continue to highlight the sector’s role in supporting economic growth, trade and resilient supply chains, and advocate for the measures needed to enable it to operate effectively.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism update

The government has laid regulations for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), alongside a supporting notice which has force of law.
The regulations provide further detail on:

• The information required to register and submit returns.
• Reimbursement arrangements.
• The treatment of weight.
• Record-keeping requirements.
• Changes to dates relevant to registration, payment and accounting periods, and associated penalties.
• Calculation of CBAM rate.
• Principles for claiming, verifying and calculating carbon price relief (CPR).
• Currency conversion for CPR.
• Record keeping requirements for CPR.

Members can find the regulations on the CBAM collection here.

In addition to the regulations and notices, the government has published:

• GOV.UK guidance covering:
  • Registration.
  • Record keeping.
  • Carbon price relief.
•  The Systems Boundaries reference document which sets out the production processes and emissions that are relevant for the purpose of calculating the embodied emissions of CBAM goods.
• The Carbon pricing verification form which verifiers will need to complete.

Supporting information
Alongside the regulations and notices, the government has updated the CBAM Policy Summary. This provides an overview of CBAM as set out in the primary legislation and regulations, to help businesses understand how they may be affected. To stay up to date with the latest CBAM developments and guidance updates, join the HMRC mailing list by emailing [email protected] with the subject line ‘Mailing list’.

New consultation launched for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects

Following an independent review by Lord Banner KC and a government call for evidence in 2024, the government last year took forward a number of reforms to the judicial review process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). A new consultation has launched, seeking views on whether the NSIP judicial review reforms should be extended to other planning regimes in England and Wales to support infrastructure and housing delivery, with a particular focus on strategically important infrastructure projects.

The consultation is asking whether judicial review challenges to major planning and infrastructure projects should be made faster and more streamlined, and if so, which projects should be covered and what the consequences would be. If you would like to contribute to the Logistics UK response, please share your views with Maddi Solloway-Price, Interim Deputy Director of Policy ([email protected]) by 14 August.

DVSA updates M2 and M3 IVA Manual

DVSA has published version 14 of the M2 & M3 IVA Inspection Manual. The update is mainly a clarification exercise rather than a major change in technical requirements. The revisions bring the bus and coach manual more closely into line with the N2/N3 IVA manual and provide clearer guidance for newer technologies such as camera monitor systems (digital mirrors), hydrogen-powered vehicles and hybrid and zero-emission vehicles.

The main changes include updated requirements for camera monitor systems, revised lighting guidance covering lamp visibility and positioning, clarification of hydrogen fuel system approvals, recognition of retreaded tyres, updated speed limiter exemptions and changes to the electrical safety section. A number of amendments have also been made to accessibility, passenger seating, emergency exits, door systems and vehicle markings. Many of the changes stem from Technical Standards Error (TSE) actions, aimed at improving consistency of IVA inspections and reducing differing interpretations between applicants and examiners. Overall, the update should make the approval process clearer for manufacturers, converters and operators without introducing significant new design obligations.

Details can be found here: IVA M2 & M3 Inspection Manual

Key points

• Greater recognition of camera-based mirror systems.
• Clarified lighting and lamp installation requirements.
• Updated hydrogen and zero-emission vehicle provisions.
• New requirements covering retreaded tyres.
• Revised electrical safety guidance.
• Accessibility, signage and passenger accommodation clarifications.
• TSE-led amendments to improve consistency of inspections

Northern Ireland Harbours Bill

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for Infrastructure has launched a Call for Evidence on the Harbours Bill, which aims to modernise the legislative and governance framework for Northern Ireland’s Trust Ports. The Bill seeks to help Trust Ports operate more efficiently, strengthen their contribution to the regional economy and address governance issues linked to the Office for National Statistics’ classification of Trust Ports, particularly around borrowing and capital budgets.

The Committee is seeking views on the Bill’s objectives, detailed provisions, potential impacts and any suggested amendments and evidence submitted will help inform the Committee’s scrutiny of the legislation. Logistics UK will be responding to the consultation and would welcome input from members with interests in Northern Ireland ports, maritime logistics and port governance. Please contact Bethany Windsor, Head of Multimodal Policy ([email protected]).

Moving, exporting or placing deforestation-free products on the market in Northern Ireland

The EU’s regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) will apply in Northern Ireland, replacing the European Timber Regulation (EUTR). EUDR will not apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). However, the government has announced its intention to introduce deforestation regulations in Great Britain, meaning if members supply certain forest risk commodities or wood products in Great Britain, they may need to comply with any future deforestation regulations.

The government will soon consult on the proposed policy in Great Britain, aiming to ensure aspects of the scope and information requirements are broadly the same as those of the EUDR. This is to reduce regulatory divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and support trade with the EU.

EUDR will regulate certain commodities and products that are imported or moved into Northern Ireland, made available on the Northern Ireland market or exported from Northern Ireland outside the UK and the EU. This will affect the following commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood as well as products made from these commodities (such as wooden furniture or chocolate).

Members will need to meet the rules from

• 30 December 2026, if they are a medium or large operator or a micro or small primary operator (MSPO) already subject to the EU Timber Regulations (EUTR).
• 30 June 2027, if they are a micro or small primary operator (MSPO) for other in scope commodities.
• 30 December 2027, if their business trades newly added palm oil-derived products, including soap and other hygiene products, soluble coffee and frozen cattle tongues covered by the EU’s final delegated act of the regulation.

Members can find out further information about the requirements here.

UK-India Free Trade Agreement now in force

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), also known as the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), has entered into force on 15 July 2026. The agreement will reduce tariffs, improve market access and create new opportunities for businesses across a wide range of sectors looking to trade with, invest in, or expand into the Indian market.

DBT has shared a Partner Toolkit containing key messages, promotional materials, social media content and links to business-facing resources.
Key messages to share with businesses:

• The UK-India FTA is now in force and will reduce or remove tariffs on a wide range of goods, improve market access, and support UK businesses trading with or investing in India.
• A comprehensive suite of sector and policy guides has been published on business.gov.uk to help businesses understand the opportunities available under the agreement and the practical steps required to benefit from it.
• UK exporters wishing to claim preferential tariffs under the agreement must be registered with HMRC in order to complete origin declarations. Relevant goods exporters should register on this site as early as possible.
• To access preferential tariff rates, businesses must meet the agreement’s Rules of Origin requirements. Further detail is available through the UK-India Rules of Origin guidance on GOV.UK.
• Businesses should use GOV.UK and business.gov.uk as their primary sources of information on the agreement.
• Businesses experiencing market access barriers or implementation challenges in India should be encouraged to engage with DBT through Export Support Services and the Report a Market Access Barrier service.

Quick briefs

TransiT and DARe workshop – 3 September

TransiT and DARe will co-host the Transport Ontologies: State of the Nation workshop on 3 Sept, London, bringing together researchers, industry and government stakeholders to explore how ontologies can help connect transport knowledge and data across the sector.

A transport ontology is a formal, machine-readable vocabulary that defines transportation concepts such as vehicles, routes and traffic and their relationships. It acts as a standardised ‘dictionary’ for computer systems, enabling consistent understanding and interoperability.

This will be an interactive event and will feature industry perspectives from organisations, alongside hands-on discussions about the current and future value of transport ontologies, barriers to adoption, and opportunities for collaboration. Delegates will also have the chance to see live demonstrations of ontology and digital twin tools, contribute to shaping a shared UK transport ontology framework across road, rail, maritime and aviation.
If you are interested in attending, please register for the event via this link.

M42 Junction 6 Bickenhill Bridge closure

National Highways has shared advance notice of planned closures at Junction 6 of the M42 motorway to carry out assessments about the safety of the bridge.

Please note: the closure only applies to traffic using the northern part of the roundabout. The bridge remains safe for vehicles travelling underneath on the M42.

Signed diversion routes are in place for the closure and additional signage improvements will be implemented in the coming weeks.
Further updates will be provided on National Highway’s website: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/m42bickenhillbridge.

Transport Secretary engages with EU Commissioner on EES border checks

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP spoke with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas on 13 July about supporting holidaymakers through the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

The Transport Secretary raised concerns about travellers looking to get away and the two counterparts agreed to work together constructively, to enable travel that is as seamless as possible across the border in the summer and autumn.

Logistics UK has argued that implementation of the system must facilitate smooth trade and reduce border friction.

Weekend closures at M3 junction 9

National Highways has shared advance notice of planned weekend closures at junction 9 M3 to complete road connections to the new roundabout and bridges.

It will be closed on the following dates:

• 9pm Friday 31 July to 6am Monday 3 August.
• 9pm Friday 21 August to 6am Monday 24 August.
• 9pm Friday 11 September to 6am Monday 14 September.

Other local roads leading to the junction will also be closed during the summer weekend closures. Please visit the M3, J9 scheme website for the latest maps to support the local diversion routes.

All subsequent updates can be found on the scheme’s website.

Support and advice

Dangerous goods training
Q. We will be transporting dangerous goods, ranging from single packages to full trailer loads. What training is required?

A. If quantities are below the small load threshold, drivers only need Dangerous Goods Driver Awareness training. Above this threshold, drivers must hold an ADR Certificate appropriate to the class of goods carried. We also recommend dangerous goods awareness training for all employees involved covering relevant hazards and responsibilities.

Further information on available courses can be obtained from our Dangerous Goods Training site.

Driver CPC: Armed Forces
Q. As an Armed Forces Covenant employer, we are recruiting more former Armed Forces drivers. Some hold the relevant driving entitlements but do not have a Driver CPC (DCPC) card. Do they need to complete 35 hours of periodic training or take the initial DCPC tests?

A. DCPC is generally not required during Armed Forces service. Therefore drivers who have never held a DCPC must obtain the Initial DCPC by passing Module 2 and Module 4. The 35 hours of periodic training only applies to drivers who already hold DCPC entitlement and need to maintain it. Further information on Initial DCPC requirements is available from here.

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.

Logistics Performance Tracker Q2

Logistics UK has launched its new quarterly Logistics Performance Tracker Q2 2026 survey.

This is a short, confidential survey 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, this quarter, questions focus on the regulation of electric vehicles and how it is impacting industry.

Responses are used to inform Logistics UK’s policy work and support engagement with government and senior stakeholders.

Share your views here