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Policy Campaign Spotlight
Covering the campaigns that matter
EU Exit
With less than seven weeks until the Brexit transition period ends, Logistics UK is focused on ensuring industry is prepared for 1 January 2021. We have been centred on three core messages: Do The Deal, which presses the need for a Free Trade Agreement; Get Brexit Ready, in which we are campaigning to secure practical and user-friendly guidance and advice from government for members; and Cut Red Tape, where we are pushing for similar trade procedures for NI to GB trade, as well as asking for trading to be made easier by having government simplify processes.
Logistics UK has recently had success in securing commitment from government to fund support and guidance for new procedures for moving goods under the NI Protocol, We also ensured the Smart Freight IT system (to support traffic management in Kent) will be fully operational in December this year and obtained an earlier roll out to members to test the system before the go-live date. We are currently working with members and government on the haulier handbook, to ensure it is fit for purpose and can be released as soon as possible.
We will continue campaigning on the key issues above and in assisting members with their preparations for the EU Exit. Members can find more information and advice on our Brexit Hub.
Driver shortage
There is currently a tiny number of HGV drivers on Jobseeker’s Allowance. With such a small pool of available drivers to recruit from, logistics businesses are struggling to fill driver vacancies at a time when demand is increasing and existing workers are being forced to take time off due to illness or self-isolation requirements.
This is compounded by the significant barriers to becoming an HGV driver – it is expensive for someone to become trained and authorised to drive an HGV, and difficult as driver tests are currently unavailable due to COVID-19. Logistics UK is campaigning to improve both of these issues, as well as working on longer-term solutions to attract workers, by improving driver facilities, and reforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a Skills Levy so logistics businesses can make better use of the fund.
Due to the severity of the difficulties mentioned above, improving the driver shortage has become a top priority for Logistics UK's Policy Team. As part of this, it has set up a new action group with members, so it can raise these issues to as many politicians and media outlets as possible in order to achieve positive action and solutions.
Published On: 19/11/2020 15:14:36
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