Policy wins – July 2022

FUTURE OF FREIGHT PLAN PUBLISHED

The government has published the Future of Freight plan – the first cross-modal and cross-government plan for the UK freight transport sector. The plan identifies the main challenges, objectives and actions that need to be taken in five priority areas: national freight network, enabling the transition to net zero, planning, people and skills, and data and technology. We provided input and thoughts on the focus of the plan, and feedback as the plan was drafted and developed. The plan contains many of Logistics UK’s asks, for example:

• Our priorities for the future of the industry – flexible and resilient, recognised value, optimal efficiency and zero negativities – are a core focus and form the vision for the plan.
• It addresses the challenges Logistics UK has highlighted around planning and logistics, with a commitment from government to publish a call for evidence in the coming months.
• The creation of a Freight Energy Forum and a review of regulatory barriers to delivery of zero carbon energy infrastructure, in line with Logistics UK's asks for support for energy and infrastructure needs for commercial vehicles.
• It includes a commitment that freight and logistics training offers are reformed to encourage transferable qualifications.
• A national freight network will be identified and a valuation of freight studies undertaken to better understand freight, collect data and to better value freight’s role to the economy.
• Government has committed to £7 million of investment for the logistics industry to boost the uptake of innovative new technologies.

PLUG-IN GRANTS (CARS AND VANS)

The government has announced that the £300 million funding for Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG) is being refocused on other vehicle groups, including vans, to encourage take up of electric vehicles in those developing sectors, and also to expand the public charging infrastructure. The grant ended for new car sales on 14 June. Logistics UK is pleased that government is recognising the importance of van fleets and has had extensive engagement with Department for Transport and stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities for van fleet operators, using member case studies and e-van take up statistics.

NON-GB PROHIBITION CLEARANCE        

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has tightened its prohibition clearance for non-GB operators following Logistics UK’s engagement. Logistics UK successfully demonstrated how DVSA’s non-GB prohibition actions were less onerous than that which they apply to GB operators and how the policies are ineffective in achieving remedial action. Logistics UK proposed alternatives that could be implemented to help level DVSA’s enforcement action and drive an improvement in compliance of non-GB operators.

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns

Published On: 07/07/2022 16:01:10

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