Month in the media – January 2021   

With COVID-19 restrictions temporarily restricting hauliers’ travel to France, and with the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the media team has kept Logistics UK in the headlines during the past two months, generating extensive coverage in national, broadcast and global media.

As a result of the media team’s swift responses and the policy team’s expert knowledge, 1,100 pieces of editorial coverage were secured across one weekend alone. 

Between 24 November 2020 and 25 January 2021, Logistics UK achieved an incredible 5,183 pieces of coverage:  

Radio and TV broadcasts – 272  

National online and printed press – 314 

Regional printed press – 74  

Online (transport, regional and trade) – 4,410  

Magazines (printed transport and trade magazines) – 113  

Brexit 

The past two months saw significant developments in the Brexit negotiations, which will have a significant impact on the logistics industry. On Christmas Eve, Britain and the EU reached a deal and on New Year's Eve, the transition period ended. The media team has ensured Logistics UK has been quoted extensively as “the voice of the industry”, actively engaging with the media on subjects such as challenges to NI-GB trade, expectations surrounding the first days of Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol agreement, Brexit preparedness and the challenges caused by incomplete paperwork. As a result, the team placed interviews for spokespeople with a wide range of national channels including Sky News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, ITV regional, BBC 1 Northern Ireland, LBC News, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 2. Feedback on these interviews has been extremely positive and as a result, Logistics UK is becoming the go-to voice with broadcasters requesting further interviews when updates occur. The team’s excellent relationships with national print titles have also enabled the placement of interviews and comments in a wide range of key titles including the Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Independent, Financial Times, Mail Online, Reuters, Daily Mirror, Metro, BBC and the Press Association. Additionally, Logistics UK has also generated global headlines once more, with coverage achieved in countries as far flung as New Zealand, Canada, India and UAE.  

France travel ban 

Following the discovery of the coronavirus variant in the UK, France temporarily banned travel across the border, resulting in many hauliers stranded on the M20 and at Manston Airport in the run up to Christmas. Logistics UK’s timely response and willingness to offer expert spokespeople ensured maximum outreach with interviews and comments featuring on Sky News, BBC News, ITV, BBC South East, Talk Radio, LBC, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio 4 and all local BBC radio stations. The team was equally successful in placing national newspapers with coverage including The Independent, The Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Mirror, Metro, Mail Online and the Daily Telegraph Online.  

Twitter Takeover  

Logistics UK’s swift tweet in to thank charity Khalsa Aid for its distribution of 1,500 hot meals to truck drivers stranded on the M20 as a result of the border closure went viral in minutes, with retweets and comments resulting in an estimated one million people seeing the tweet.   

The month ahead

With National Apprenticeship Week set to take place from 8 to 14 February 2021, skills and the driver shortage will be a key focus for proactive media outreach over the next month. Other priorities for the team will include the ongoing Brexit challenges faced by the industry, the Chancellor’s next Budget and looking ahead towards 1 July when customs checks will be applied to goods being imported into the UK.  

Have you got a story? 

If you are keen to speak to the media about a pressing issue – from Brexit readiness to skills shortages, urban restrictions to future logistics – or to shout about some of the great work your organisation is doing, we would love to hear from you. We are also keen to hear from those with personal achievements to shout about – maybe moving a very unusual load, staff members who have received special awards or with unusual hobbies or expertise. And as always, the media is keen to talk to women working across the industry – we are particularly on the lookout for female drivers who are happy to talk to the press. Please contact Eleanor, Freya or Rona in the media team at press.office@logistics.org.uk – we look forward to hearing from you!