Member News – 29 April 2026

29 April 2026

Your weekly member email from Logistics UK sharing the latest updates addressing industry-relevant developments, legislation and compliance updates and campaigns to help you stay informed.

In this issue:

• Middle East disruption: survey reminder and briefing for members.
• Euro 7: What is means for vehicles and fleets briefing note.
• Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs survey now live.
• Logistics UK hosts workshop for Local Authority and Public Service members.
• Development of Logistics UK’s policy position on weights and dimensions.
• Grid Users Coalition will give industry a “stronger collective voice”.
• Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) Terminal Checks.
• Fire extinguisher for ADR Vehicles.

Middle East disruption: survey reminder and 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.

Earlier this 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:

Logistics to be recognised as a priority fuel user within the government’s resilience planning.

• The inclusion of logistics in the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to cut electricity costs.
• Full expensing to be extended to leased zero-emission commercial vehicles.
• The introduction of an incentive for logistics businesses to use liquid low carbon fuels, to support the shift away from traditional fuels.
• Business rates increases to be paused and reform of the system.

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 or via Microsoft Forms here as soon as possible.

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

Euro 7: What is means for vehicles and fleets briefing note

Government is consulting on the adoption of Euro 7 emission standards and Logistics UK has produced a briefing note for members. The latest briefing highlights that Euro 7 will apply equally to diesel, petrol and electric vehicles (EV), introducing brake particle limits for the first time and new tyre abrasion measurement requirements. The briefing outlines practical and near-term solutions already emerging, including low‑wear brake pads and discs, regenerative braking, EV specific tyres and particle capture systems which are expected to play a growing role in vehicle design and fleet compliance as Euro 7 is implemented.

Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs survey now live

Logistics UK’s long-established Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs 2026 survey is now live, helping transport managers and freight forwarders track and compare quarterly costs against UK trends, including wages, vehicle operating costs and haulage rates.

Produced annually, the practical guide is built using survey data collected each April, with contributors asked to update figures three times later this year, in July, October and January 2027 to ensure accuracy.

Complete the survey here.

Contributors receive a copy of the full report, detailing industry costs.

If members have any questions, please contact the Insights Team.

Logistics UK hosts workshop for Local Authority and Public Service members

Last week, Logistics UK’s Policy team collaborated with five local authorities to share the successes and setbacks faced when decarbonising fleets. Local authorities are on the frontlines of fleet decarbonisation but do not have a homogenous experience, given the breadth and diversity of different regions and nations. Some speakers shared their electrification experiences which included facing challenges accessing adequate depot space for more chargers, as well as sharing approaches to tackling space constraints. Other councils shared the successes they are having with low carbon fuels and collaborating with public services to share resources.

The workshop included speakers from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, London Borough of Hackney, Dundee City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council.

If members would like to discuss the workshop or decarbonisation policy work, contact Senior Policy Manager Stephanie Haszczyn.

Development of Logistics UK’s policy position on weights and dimensions

On Thursday 23 April, Logistics UK hosted a member-only workshop to discuss the challenges of payload loss from operating electric HGVs and develop policy asks to share with government. This policy work is ongoing, and any member who would like to be involved is encouraged to reach out to Head of Road Freight, Maddi Solloway-Price, to share their experiences and case studies.

Grid Users Coalition will give industry a “stronger collective voice”

On 23 April, Logistics UK participated in the launch meeting of the Grid Users Coalition – a new group of organisations from across the UK economy who are connected through their shared reliance on the grid.

The coalition has been formed to combine and articulate the needs of grid users and will contribute practical ideas on how the electricity system can evolve to support economic growth, electrification and decarbonisation.

High costs, poor visibility, long timelines, inconsistent policy and service levels were some of the common challenges identified, and the coalition is meeting in early May to identify practical solutions to take forward with policy makers.

To help present a unified case, the coalition is collecting case studies showing the challenges business are facing regarding grid upgrades and how they present significant barriers to electrification. Any members who want to share their experiences or who are interested in joining the Grid Users Coalition can contact Head of Decarbonisation Policy, Lamech Solomon for more details.

Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) Terminal Checks

The management group of the SLPS has issued an update on the Terminal Check project. The project will enhance the existing scheme, which is an integral part of participating fuel terminal’s safety management system.

Revised Terminal Check forms, an accompanying manual and instructional video have been released ahead of the phased roll-out.

A copy of the communication can be found here.

Fire extinguisher for ADR Vehicles

With a recent increase in enquiries to the Member Advice Centre (MAC) relating to the carriage of fire extinguishers in vehicles and audit findings, it is timely to clarify the minimum requirements for fire extinguishers on vehicles transporting dangerous goods.

Audits and roadside checks have consistently shown that fire extinguishers are among the most frequently identified defective items. Common issues include expired or missed inspection dates, physical damage, and extinguishers that are discharged or not pressurised correctly.

Fire extinguishers are only a mandatory requirement for specific vehicle categories, namely vehicles carrying dangerous goods (regardless of quantity) and passenger carrying vehicles. While other vehicles may also carry fire extinguishers, this is not a legal requirement and is generally determined by company policy and/or the outcome of a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. This fact sheet explains the minimum requirements to ensure compliance for ADR vehicle and best practice to others.

Members can download the factsheet here.

DVSA guidance on lighting devices

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is reporting a growing increase in non‑compliant and illegal aftermarket lighting being fitted to commercial vehicles. While often installed with good intentions to improve safety, incorrect fitment can lead to MOT failure and roadside enforcement action. The most common issues involve Vulnerable Road User (VRU) signs, decorative LED lighting, and blue warning beacons.

VRU signs, usually fitted to the rear or sides of vehicles to alert cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, are legally classed as directional indicators when they operate alongside vehicle indicators. This means they must emit only amber light, flash between 60–120 times per minute, operate in unison with the vehicle indicators, and show red light only to the rear. To remain compliant, they must be fitted only to the sides or rear, not mounted on sideguards or rear underrun protection, not increase vehicle width, not protrude in a way that creates risk, and must use non‑reflective materials. Independent systems are permitted only where the light is continuous and not flashing.

DVSA has also identified increasing use of decorative LED lighting. These fall outside approved lighting standards, can distract other road users, and may be enforceable even if switched off.

Operators are strongly encouraged to review all aftermarket lighting now to ensure compliance, avoid enforcement action and support wider road safety objectives.

Members can find out more on the DVSA webpage.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.