1. Logistics UK joins Freight Energy Forum
Logistics UK is delighted to be a part of the new influential industry-government Freight Energy Forum, established as part of the Future of Freight plan. The forum aims to support all transport modes in the transition to net zero by 2050, create a plan to roll out future industry energy infrastructure and explore solutions to help the freight sector start reducing emissions immediately.
2. Low carbon fuels
Logistics UK has been making the case for low carbon fuels (LCFs) across all transport modes, including calling upon the government to publish its delayed LCF Strategy. In March Logistics UK held a roundtable on the matter, chaired by Transport Committee member Greg Smith MP, at which representatives from across the logistics sector shared their perspectives and called for further direction from government, to unlock investment. Following this, with our support, several parliamentarians raised questions with the government on the importance of low carbon fuels, to reinforce the case for it bringing forward its strategy. In June, Logistics UK held a second roundtable, attended by the Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Iain Stewart MP. Following the roundtable, Logistics UK wrote to Minister of State Jesse Norman to call for urgent progress on the decarbonisation agenda.
3. Generation Logistics confirmed for second year
Generation Logistics, the industry-led and government-backed initiative tasked with increasing awareness and finding the next generation of logistics talent, has secured backing from the Department for Transport to continue the communication and education programme into a second year. Since its launch in August 2022, the campaign has reached an audience of over 340 million people, and resulted in almost three million engagements on social media alone.
4. Electric Vehicle 2023 Report launched
Logistics UK published its Electric Vehicle Report in May 2023 providing a picture of the current realities of operating electric vehicles (EVs), including operators’ experiences of securing sufficient power supply at their depots, acquiring and maintaining EVs and using EV charging infrastructure.
Headline findings demonstrate that factors, including a lack of fiscal support and an inadequate public charging network, are having a significant impact on the confidence of operators to invest in EVs and highlight how operating models must be adjusted to work to EVs' capabilities.
5. Spring Budget 2023
On 15 March, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP, announced changes to government policy in the Spring Budget 2023. Amongst key updates on employment, energy and infrastructure, it was confirmed that the 5ppl Fuel Duty cut – originally introduced in March 2022 – is to be retained for a further 12 months. Logistics UK has consistently urged government to extend the duration of cut, while maintaining revenue levels through VAT and other sources, and emphasised that this should support businesses as they need to have the funds to invest in productivity, growth and greener technologies
6. Streamlining national significant infrastructure schemes
The UK government has announced proposals to streamline the planning process in England and Wales for nationally significant infrastructure schemes following a series of high profile delays. Logistics UK has raised concerns regarding delays to major schemes, the amount of time it takes for them to secure Development Consent Orders and the impact this has on members’ ability to plan and invest.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) has recognised the need for change to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) consenting process and consulted recently on how to streamline and strengthen the process. Logistics UK responded to the consultation following input from members.