🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Levelling up – will government plans help rebalance transport in the UK?
The UK has long been one of the most geographically uneven of the world’s advanced economies. While London and the south east of England have powered ahead over the last few decades, other cities and regions in the UK have been left far behind in the race for economic growth.
GEOGRAPHY MATTERS
While the reasons behind this economic disparity are many and varied, the accelerated pace of deindustrialisation in Britain during the 1970s and 1980s undoubtedly had a large part to play. As factories, steel works, coal mines and shipyards closed, thousands of high-skilled jobs were lost overnight and have not been replaced. This has led to deep, long-term economic and social scarring in towns and cities across the UK, often decimating whole communities.
Geographic peripherality also explains why some regions are not enjoying the full benefits of the UK’s strong economy. The south west of England, north Wales and the Scottish highlands and islands all suffer from being too distant and inaccessible from London, the UK’s economic centre of gravity.
FLAGSHIP WHITE PAPER
Last week (2 February 2022), the government unveiled its flagship Levelling Up White Paper, setting out a plan to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it.
It consists of 12 national levelling up missions, which promise to shift government focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities throughout the 2020s. The paper also promises to shift power from Whitehall to local leaders, giving every part of England the opportunity to get ‘London style’ powers and mayor if they wish to.
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
How will this flagship policy impact on logistics and the broader transport sector?
The White Paper describes transport infrastructure as “an important form of physical capital because it reduces “distances” between places and provides people, firms and workers with increased market access”.
Most expansive in London and the south east, transport infrastructure brings with it increased economic benefits unlocking access to more jobs in these areas than elsewhere. Less well-connected places are disadvantaged.
According to the White Paper, transport infrastructure has tended to flow to places where infrastructure is under the greatest strain rather than least extensive. Historically, investment has been considerably higher in London and the south of England than in other parts of the UK. Almost a third (30%) of all public transport infrastructure spend is concentrated in London – three times that in Northern Ireland.
OPPORTUNITY FOR LOGISTICS TO SHOWCASE CAREERS
Commenting on the Levelling Up White Paper announcement, Alexandra Herdman, Public Policy Manager at Logistics UK, comments:
“The Levelling Up White Paper is a fantastic opportunity for logistics to showcase its vital role in providing skilled jobs and economic growth. The logistics sector links global trade to British businesses and their customers, with logistics hubs such as maritime ports, airports, inland road and rail distribution centres also acting as drivers of economic growth and development. To maximise these opportunities and support effective supply chains, the government must ensure the necessary logistics infrastructure – including warehouses, driver welfare facilities and sufficient lorry parking – is considered in its plans. Overcoming the skills shortage in the logistics industry will also be vital; this must remain a key focus for the government.
“Logistics UK looks forward to seeing the detail and engaging with government on the delivery of these proposals.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/skills
Published On: 10/02/2022 16:00:17
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