On the Road – Logistics UK’s CEO visits No10 to highlight opportunities

Meeting senior advisors to the Prime Minister

Logistics UK’s CEO Ben Fletcher and Interim Director of Policy and Communications Ben Garratt met with senior advisors to the Prime Minister at No 10 Downing Street.

They discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the logistics sector, how it underpins the economy, and the specific pressures that the conflict in the Gulf creates for members.

They also took the opportunity to press the case for the planned 5p increase in fuel duty this September to be postponed. Should these current challenges continue for much longer, additional measures are undoubtedly necessary to support the sector’s resilience and help mitigate the risk of higher living costs and weaker growth.

Meeting Alison Irvine, CEO of Transport Scotland

Mr Fletcher and Senior Policy Manager Alexandra Herdman met with Transport Scotland’s CEO Alison Arvine and Director of the Environment, Climate and Sustainability Directorate Morna Cannon to discuss logistics’ priorities and opportunities in Scotland.

This included talking about key policy asks, such as dualling the A75 as a key trade route between Northern Ireland and Scotland and exploring the use of alternative fuels to promote sustainable and secure transport.

Visiting Wickes with Mike Reader MP of Northampton South

Ben Fletcher and Mike Reader MP visited the Wickes Distribution Centre in Brackmills, an important opportunity to highlight the investment the sector is making in its facilities and people, as well as the importance of strong infrastructure and trade links enabling this growth.

It was also a chance to discuss the challenges the sector faces with the Middle East crisis and policy measures Logistics UK has proposed to support the sector at this time.

Mr Fletcher said: “The meetings this week were a timely opportunity to discuss how integral logistics is to the UK economy, underpinning growth and keeping other industries moving.

“However, in the face of the Middle East conflict and the pressures it has put on the sector, which already operates on thin margins, Logistics UK is calling on the government to reconsider scrapping the fuel duty freeze in September.

“Logistics cannot afford any more rises in operational costs and it needs the support of the government to carry out its essential role.

“Thank you to everyone who gave their time to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. I look forward to continuing to engage with key organisations and MPs including Transport Scotland and Mike Reader, to ensure logistics’ voice is being heard.”