Spotlight on Wales with Logistics UK's Policy Manager – Trade, Customs and Borders, Josh Fenton

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, there have been a number of changes to customs and trade processes which continue to impact our sector, so therefore we have been busy representing the asks of industry and communicating these with government.

A few examples of areas we have been focused on include the introduction of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) and associated changes around Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls, and safety and security controls.

The EU is also making changes to its borders and is currently planning to introduce an Entry Exit System (EES), which involves biometric scanning at the border, and whilst the primary objective of these checks is to monitor passenger travel, there will be knock on effects to freight.

With the short straights being a key corridor for continental trade between the UK and the EU, and this border operating with juxtaposed border controls, any additional border checks and processes will impact the logistics sector.

Therefore, we are working hard to ensure there is minimal disruption to trading and calling for a biometric scanning app to be developed that can be inputted ahead of time away from the border. Outside of the trade, customs and border policy agenda, I also look after our Wales policy work and the South West region of England. Members have made clear that there is a need for better recognition of the sector and the critical role it plays in underpinning the economy.

Back in 2008, the Welsh government published a The Wales Freight Strategy and whilst this was a really positive step and contained good ideas, it never came to fruition so the sector has since been calling for an updated freight and logistics plan which is deliverable and one that can be implemented.

We have since had a series of engagements with the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, asking them to create a new Freight and Logistics Plan, which the Welsh government has committed to as part of its Roads Review.

Most recently, Logistics UK and members went to the Senedd and held a meeting with Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative's Shadow Minister for Transport. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain cross party support for the logistics sector in the Welsh Parliament and following the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the Welsh government will be publishing a new Freight and Logistics Plan this year and is working with the sector to make sure it is fit for purpose.

We have also hosted a roundtable with the recently elected minister, the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates MS, where we outlined exactly what the future plan should entails, ensuring it is comprehensive and recognises the importance of logistics to the Welsh economy.

Members have said that the new Welsh Freight and Logistics Plan should include a long-term vision covering transport, decarbonisation and acknowledges the complexities of planning, last mile logistics and skills shortages.

Our Welsh members have also raised the need for infrastructure investment and the challenges around recruiting for the next generation of logistics workers, so this is something we have taken on board and continue to flag with government officials.

One area that we have been focusing on is capacity and the condition of the network, with North Wales being particularly challenging. There is a need for high quality, integrated transport infrastructure to enable the productive delivery of goods in a strategic and green way which will link Wales to international markets.

The sector is calling for new roads to be built to optimise logistics by boosting connectivity and allowing for more efficient deliveries to take place. Other specific areas of high importance to the sector are Cardiff Airport, where the sector is calling for work to look into how to make greater use of the airport for air freight and Port Talbot Port as a deep-sea port to serve the west of the UK.

Another recent issue in Wales has been the implementation of a 20mph speed limit, which was a blanket default on all 30mph roads. This has had a significant impact on logistics, with journeys taking longer and additional congestion due to all drivers travelling at lower speeds.

Again, we have been working with the Cabinet Secretary and are pleased to hear that there are plans to reinstate some 30mph routes from December 2024. Like elsewhere in the UK, Wales is experiencing skills challenges and so we have been working on securing greater provision of and funding for higher level logistics apprenticeships.

There are many people in Wales who travel across the border to England to gain qualifications and then stay across the border rather than returning to Wales. In practice this means Wales misses out on logistics talent.

The consensus from members is that if there are more courses available in Wales, aspiring young professionals would not have to travel further afield to undertake their studies so we have been calling on Wales to deliver high level skills courses, such as level 4 and 5 courses which are currently not offered. In addition to skills and infrastructure, decarbonisation is another important topic and we are asking for the Welsh government to work hand in hand with Westminster to review their energy infrastructure and to make prompt decisions with industry’s input, around what the future energy source is going to be.

With ongoing uncertainty, we are working hard to communicate these challenges with government in order to reduce emissions across the sector. To help deliver on these asks and to gauge member feedback, I run our Freight Council meetings in Wales and the South West, which are a great opportunity for members to come together and network, but also flag issues and share concerns.

I have also set up and circulated a newsletter for Wales which gives specific updates on Welsh policy issues impacting the industry. Another way I am working with members is through setting up a Freight and Logistics Plan Working Group for members in Wales who are interested in its development.

We meet on an ad hoc basis and members are always encouraged to feed in ideas on what the logistics plan should include and look like. One of my favourite parts of my job is visiting members and I am always delighted to attend events, visit sites or member premises to see day-to-day operations and first-hand what members do.

Before joining Logistics UK at the start of 2023, I worked in the Department for International Trade and the Department for Transport looking after stakeholder engagement and policy. What I enjoy most about my role here is that it is very much a people focused role. Logistics is about people and finding the right solutions to problems.

I think people in the sector are quite practically minded, always thinking how do we get something from A to B and how we can work more efficiently. Logistics is such an important sector and one that often falls under the radar, so it is a great time to be working in the logistics industry, helping to raise awareness.

I'm always happy to speak to members and as I mentioned earlier, come and visit members in person. If members would like to get in touch, please do reach out to me at jfenton@logistics.org.uk.

Published On: 18/07/2024 16:30:00

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