Member News – 30 September 2026

30 September 2026

In this issue:

• Government announces the creation of Great British Grid.
• Prime Minister sets out new economic direction as Logistics UK champions sector’s role in growth.
• Middle East disruption continues to drive up logistics costs.
• Employment Rights Act changes from October 2026.
• Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate review workshop.

Policy updates

Government announces the creation of Great British Grid

The government has announced the creation of Great British Grid (GBG), a new publicly owned body within Great British Energy intended to accelerate investment in Britain’s electricity networks and help businesses connect to the grid more quickly.

Announced on 29 September, GBG will invest public capital together with private investment in electricity network infrastructure and work alongside existing network operators. The government has also announced plans to expand self-build connections, allowing businesses and developers, where appropriate, to build their own grid connections rather than waiting for network companies to deliver them. Competitive tendering for new transmission infrastructure will also be accelerated.

The announcement is particularly relevant to the logistics sector as operators increasingly require substantial new electricity connections to support the electrification of vehicle, depots, ports and warehousing. Logistics UK has consistently highlighted that grid connection times, available capacity and the cost of connections are major barriers to transport decarbonisation, particularly for operators seeking to install high-powered charging infrastructure.

Logistics UK welcomes the increased focus on accelerating grid infrastructure and connections. The proposals to expand self-build connections could provide operators with greater flexibility and potentially reduce delays, but further detail will be important on how the new arrangements will work at distribution level and whether businesses will be able to access them easily and affordably.

Prime Minister sets out new economic direction as Logistics UK champions sector’s role in growth

Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first Labour Party Conference speech to set out plans for a greater role for government in the economy, including a publicly owned GB Grid to accelerate electricity connections. He also committed to closer UK-EU relations and reducing the cost of doing business.

At the conference, Logistics UK and partners hosted a panel discussion with Reindustrialisation Minister Blair McDougall MP, which focused on logistics’ role in growth, jobs and investment, as well as the need for an infrastructure strategy aligned with the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Logistics UK and partners also hosted a Global Trade and Logistics roundtable with Logistics Minister Keir Mather MP, which covered reducing trade friction, improving connectivity and strengthening supply chain resilience.

Middle East disruption continues to drive up logistics costs

Logistics UK’s latest member survey shows the impact of the Middle East conflict continues to intensify, with 93.9% of respondents reporting higher fuel costs in September, up from 76.8% in August. Seven in ten businesses also reported increases in other input costs, while a third are experiencing longer lead times for key products. We are sharing these latest findings with key government departments and Number 10 to ensure the pressures facing the sector are understood at the heart of government.

Ahead of the Budget on 28 October, Logistics UK is urging government not to increase Fuel Duty and to provide further support to help businesses manage costs and continue investing, including action on electricity costs, business rates, low-carbon fuels and zero-emission vehicles.

Employment Rights Act changes from October 2026

A further phase of the Employment Rights Act 2025 will take effect during October 2026, bringing several important changes for employers. From 1 October, the time limit for most Employment Tribunal claims will double from three to six months, increasing the period for which workplace disputes may remain live. From 30 October, employers will face stronger duties to prevent workplace sexual harassment, including taking “all reasonable steps” to protect employees and addressing harassment by third parties such as customers, clients and suppliers. Additional trade union reforms will also come into force, including new rights of workplace access and requirements relating to workers’ rights to join a union.

Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate review workshop

All members are invited to Logistics UK’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate review workshop. The virtual-only workshop will be held on Tuesday 6 October from 10:30-11:30 to discuss Logistics UK’s response to the ZEV Mandate review. If members would like to join this discussion, please contact Stephanie Haszczyn.

During the workshop, Logistics UK will run members through the proposed response to the review. The ZEV Mandate applies only to cars and vans, and Logistics UK’s response will focus on the van review. If members are unable to join but would like to feed into the review, please do reach out to set up a call or contact the team via email.

Quick briefs

Generation Logistics Year 5: making it easier for SMEs to get involved

With 99.7% of logistics businesses classed as SMEs, Generation Logistics is introducing a new sponsorship model for Year 5 designed to make participation more accessible for businesses of all sizes. Building on a campaign that has generated more than 3.2 billion opportunities to see its message, 1.9 million website visits and a 41% increase in awareness of the sector, the revised model includes lower SME entry points, rolling sponsorship throughout the year and equal access to campaign benefits and brand exposure. Supporting Generation Logistics offers businesses a practical way to help attract the next generation of talent while demonstrating their commitment to the future of the sector. For more information, please contact Bethany Windsor.

Preparing for upcoming digital tax changes

From April 2027, tax returns are changing. There will be a new way to record and report income and expenses. Sole traders and landlords with turnover above £30,000 will need to send quarterly updates to HMRC using recognised software. Members can check if this applies to them by searching ‘Making Tax Digital’ on GOV.UK.

Members will need to use recognised software to keep records of their income and expenses. Those eligible will be required to send quarterly updates to HMRC from this software – these are not tax returns, but summaries of how businesses are doing. Members will not need to pay four tax bills a year; the deadline for paying your tax will still be 31 January.

For helpful guidance on how to get started, visit the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – HMRC Guide page.

Waste Forum Working Group

Logistics UK’s next Waste Forum Working Group meeting takes place on Tuesday 6 October at Thalia’s waste management site in Waterbeach, Cambridge.

Members will hear from Cory Environmental on health and safety executive statistics on injuries and fatalities in the waste sector, machinery-related incidents such as automatic bin lifts, and vehicle fire statistics. Veolia will share real-life case studies on how they manage staff who have been victims of either verbal or physical abuse experienced in the course of their work, and the impacts this has on their wellbeing. Finally, the group will hear from a former police detective superintendent from the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group, who will highlight the importance of cyber security for any sized operator, as well as offering practical tips based on experiences they have encountered. There will also be an opportunity to hear about common subjects Waste Forum members ask of Logistics UK’s Member Advice Centre.

The Waste Forum Working Group is open to members who operate waste collection vehicles in the course of their business, members who have an interest in the waste sector, or any businesses that provide commercial and/or residential waste-related services. To join the group, or for more information, please contact the group secretary, Tom Griffith.

Logistics UK’s Water Council meeting

Last week, Water Council met for its final meeting of 2026. During the meeting, attendees heard from speakers on the International Maritime Organization’s net zero fund and the Women in Transport Equity Index and the Port Skills and Safety’s work. Members fed into Logistics UK’s responses to two calls for evidence, one on climate adaption and another on smart data.

Meeting dates for 2027 will be communicated as soon as possible, these include a site visit to Shoreham Port which is confirmed for March. If members would like to join or register their interest, please contact the secretary Alexandra Herdman.

Logistics UK’s Decarbonisation Working Group meeting

The latest meeting of the Decarbonisation Working Group brought together members to discuss key developments shaping the decarbonisation transition. Chaired by Gary Banister, Fleet and Facilities Director at Biffa, members of the group heard policy updates from Logistics UK’s policy team as well as from Department for Transport on the following topics:

• The National Planning Policy Framework.
• Low carbon fuels.
• Weights and dimensions regulation for eHGVs.
• ZEV Mandate review.

Guest speakers included the Port of Dover, TRANSiT and UK Power Networks who discussed fleet electrification, electricity network readiness, digital twin modelling and the future electrification of Dover ferry operations. Discussions highlighted the importance of infrastructure planning, grid capacity and cross-sector collaboration to support the efficient decarbonisation of freight and logistics.

If members would like to receive minutes from the group or join the group which meets three times per year virtually, please contact the group secretary Stephanie Haszczyn. The next meeting will be held Wednesday 3 February, 10:00-12:00.

Skills Audit for Wales call for evidence

In response to the Welsh Government’s Skills Audit, Logistics UK highlighted growing demand for technical, engineering, digital and leadership skills across the logistics sector as automation, AI and decarbonisation reshape workforce needs. The response also highlighted the need for greater investment in flexible training, stronger technical skills provision in Wales, and improved progression pathways, while emphasising that logistics is a foundational sector whose workforce capability supports growth and productivity across the wider economy.

Members can view the response here.

Consultation on the Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028

Logistics UK has responded to the Northern Ireland Curriculum consultation, welcoming proposals to strengthen literacy, numeracy, digital skills and problem-solving, while ensuring young people are better prepared for employment and lifelong learning. The response supported the increased focus on careers education, labour market awareness and digital technologies such as AI, automation and cybersecurity, and called for continued employer engagement to help pupils understand the full range of career opportunities available.

Members can view the response here.

Skills England maritime apprenticeship consultation

Logistics UK has responded to Skills England’s consultation on proposals to retire four maritime apprenticeships due to low learner numbers. While supporting efforts to ensure the apprenticeship system delivers value and quality, Logistics UK made the case that apprenticeship decisions should also reflect strategic importance, workforce resilience and economic impact. The response highlights the vital role maritime occupations play in supporting trade, national resilience, coastal communities, social mobility and the transition to net zero, and warns that removing established entry routes could weaken future workforce pipelines. Logistics UK has urged Skills England to retain the standards or provide clear alternative pathways that meet employers’ skills needs.

Members can view the response here.

Workplace monitoring technologies consultation

Logistics UK has responded to the government’s consultation on workplace monitoring technologies, highlighting the important role that technologies such as telematics, vehicle cameras, GPS tracking and security systems play in supporting health and safety, customer service, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency across the logistics sector. The response argues that existing legal and regulatory frameworks already provide substantial protections for workers and that government has not demonstrated a clear regulatory gap requiring further intervention. Logistics UK has also urged government to recognise that many of these technologies are primarily operational and safety tools rather than workforce monitoring systems and emphasised that no intervention should remain a legitimate outcome. Should government decide further action is necessary, Logistics UK argues that non-statutory guidance would be the only proportionate approach.

Members can view the response here.

Road to Logistics named delivery partner for The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge 2027

Road to Logistics has been named Delivery Partner for The Big Logistics Diversity Challenge 2027, bringing together two organisations with a shared commitment to creating greater opportunity, inclusion and positive change across the logistics sector.

As Delivery Partner, Road to Logistics will play a key role in supporting the delivery of #BLDC2027, which returns to Newark Showground on Thursday 17 June 2027.

Month in review – September 2026

Alexandra Herdman attended the SNP Business Day in Edinburgh on 4 September. During a panel session, Alexandra asked the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport for his current position on dualling the A75, which is a key ask of Logistics UK members. His response was that he can see merit in the need to dual the road, but that there are competing priorities with the funds available.

We hosted Logistics Minister Keir Mather, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, Vice Admiral Sir Andy Kyte KBE CB FCILT, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support, and Stuart Marks CBE Lord Marks of Hale at our Presidents Council meeting on 8 September.

Interim Director of Policy & Communication, Ben Garratt, gave evidence to the House of Commons Transport Committee on their inquiry on the proposed expansion of Heathrow airport on 9 September.

Head of Skills and Multimodal Policy, Bethany Windsor and Dominic Aeissame, Public Affairs Manager, visited HMP Wymott with MP for South Ribble Paul Foster on 17 September to discuss logistics careers for prison leavers. The visit highlighted the work of New Futures Network, which connects employers with serving prisoners and prison leavers who are seeking meaningful employment.

Ben Fletcher, Brenda Maguire and Josh Fenton met with Sinead McLaughlin MLA – Economy Spokesperson for the SDLP. They discussed the challenges facing the industry including rising fuel prices, global trade uncertainty, Windsor Framework regulatory complexities and sea freight capacity. They highlighted the need for urgent investment and progress on key infrastructure projects including York Street Interchange and the A5, as well as the potential to develop a logistics hub in Belfast to support more efficient supply chains.

Logistics UK hosted a roundtable with Transport Minister Keir Mather at the Labour Party Conference on the centrality of logistics to trade. The discussion provided a timely opportunity to reinforce the logistics sector’s strong support for the expansion of Heathrow as a UK-wide growth project.

The team attended the FTA Ireland Sustainable Transport Seminar, meeting with Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports to discuss the logistics sector’s challenges and opportunities, as well as demonstrate Logistics UK’s compliance platform, Vision.

Insight and reports

Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 published

A reminder that Logistics UK has published a new Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 booklet, providing an overview of the scale, reach and economic importance of the UK logistics sector.

The booklet provides the latest headline statistics on the sector’s contribution to economic output and employment, alongside the volume and value of goods moved and traded by different freight modes across the UK network. It provides an accessible source of evidence to support engagement with stakeholders on the logistics sector’s role in underpinning the wider economy.

Click here to download your free copy

Support and advice

Transport Manager hours

Q. Could you offer some advice on transport manager hours and whether they can be shared across operating centres?

A. A transport manager can be responsible for more than one operating centre. However, they must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient time allocated at each site to exercise continuous and effective control of the transport operation.

Senior Traffic Commissioner Statutory Document 3: Transport Managers suggests a proposed number of hours a transport manager should spend, based on the number of vehicles in the fleet, to maintain continuous and effective control.

Zero emission vehicle testing requirements

Q. Will zero-emission vans that had already been tested as a heavy goods vehicle prior to 1 June 2026 be due a class 7 annual test a year after the first test, or do they now wait until the third year?

A. The vehicle wouldn’t need to be tested again via a class 7 MOT until three years from registration, so wouldn’t need a test two years from registration.

Whilst that may feel a bit odd to operators as the validity of the test the vehicle had in year one would expire, these vehicles have moved testing regimes so it shouldn’t be an issue.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.