1. Future of Freight: a long-term plan published
Logistics UK was pleased to see the publication of the government’s Future of Freight: a long-term plan – the first cross-modal and cross-government plan for the UK freight transport sector. This includes many of Logistics UK’s asks, such as the creation of a Freight Energy Forum, a review of regulatory barriers to deliver zero carbon energy infrastructure, a reform of training offers to encourage transferable qualifications, identification of a national freight network, and a valuation of freight studies.
2. Generation Logistics launch
An important launch for Logistics UK is Generation Logistics, the new flagship campaign that aims to help people to understand the logistics sector, the breadth of roles available across the industry, and why it is an exciting career to consider. The campaign is backed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and sponsors across the breadth of the industry. Find out more about the campaign at https://logistics.org.uk/generation-logistics.
3. Reducing the impact of rising energy costs and disruption
Logistics UK wrote to the Prime Minister and Cabinet in October 2022, calling for clarity on government plans to mitigate the impact of significant current and future increases in energy costs and address concerns around potential supply challenges. To support this, members were surveyed to collect evidence on the expected impact. The government announced that businesses in Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be supported through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, a six-month scheme that will provide a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for business customers.
4. GB-NI Trader Support Service extension
The government has extended the Trader Support Service for another year, a scheme which was initially awarded funding for two years only. Logistics UK has continually raised the importance of the Trader Support Service for members as a free-to-use service that helps traders and carriers in moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Logistics UK emphasised that the Trader Support Service should be extended because it reduces the costs associated with the Protocol as members do not have to pay for customs entries.
5. Decarbonising Logistics Report launched
Logistics UK published its first Decarbonising Logistics Report in May 2022 to review progress made towards achieving the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. One of Logistics UK’s asks in its Route to Net Zero manifesto in November 2021 led to the government’s £200 million funding for an extensive zero emission road freight demonstrator programme. Government has committed to developing a plan with industry for the rollout of zero tailpipe emission HGV infrastructure, an extension to the Category B licence derogation, £300 million funding for the plug-in grants, and to expand public charging infrastructure.
6. Shortage Occupation List and the Skilled Worker Visa review
Logistics UK sits on the Migration Advisory Committee stakeholder group and has raised the significant challenge of the shortage of HGV drivers and mechanics. Currently, mechanics are on the Skilled Worker Visa and on the Shortage Occupation List and Logistics UK is urging government to maintain this, while HGV drivers do not meet the minimum skills requirement. After calling for this to be changed, The Migration Advisory Committee has been commissioned to review the Shortage Occupation List and the Skilled Worker Visa.