According to figures published on Tuesday (7 May) by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose by 5.4% in April 2024 – the 16th consecutive month of growth for the sector.
A number of trade associations in NI jointly signed a letter to the Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, requesting a meeting to discuss the recent public consultation issued by her department on proposals to remove a number of rates relief measures for businesses.
The Department for Transport and the Connected Places Catapult have launched the third Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator to support innovation across the sector, including to decarbonise freight and improve UK supply chains.
According to new research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), published on 29 April, potholes in the UK cost £14.4 billion annually.
Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK’s Head of Trade and Devolution, met with the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee in the Scottish Parliament on 2 May to give evidence on behalf of the logistics industry.
Whilst Labour outlined plans to nationalise consumer routes, it has no plans to nationalise rail freight companies, and would allow open access operators to continue. It would also leave rolling stock companies in the private sphere.
Logistics UK Senior Policy Manager, Alexandra Herdman joined industry experts from across the sector including Port of Aberdeen, Associated British Ports, Port of Bilbao and DFDS, amongst many others, for the Coastlink Conference 2024, hosted by the Port of Amsterdam, on 24-25 April.
Tuesday 30 April 2024 marked the beginning of the long-delayed introduction of post-Brexit physical inspections of plant and animal imports from the EU. The spot checks will apply initially to products such as meat, cheese and some fish, and eventually to a range of vegetables and fruit. However, the government is taking a “phased approach” leaving the logistics industry in a state of limbo.
Organisations can apply for the Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund to use AI for projects that make UK waters safer, operations smoother and air cleaner.
Logistics UK has identified five levels of risk to drivers’ safety and disruption to journeys when driving to Calais and other Channel ports in the Nord Pas de Calais and other regions of Northern France.
The UK government has confirmed plans for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, which requires increasing amounts of alternative fuels to be blended with kerosene starting from 1 January 2025.
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Last week (10 April 2024), the Department for Transport revealed 102 of the 119 local authorities that received funding have responded to the department’s survey request to set out their plans. This means that local people and logistics operators can now check their local council’s websites and scrutinise their plans for themselves.
By Ask The Mac’s Senior Transport Advisor, Dan Crutchington
"Why didn't I think of that???" Is what you may well be asking yourself...
National Highways say the seven-mile stretch of the motorway between Junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey will be closed in both directions from 9pm on Friday 10 May until 6am on Monday 13 May while concrete beams for a new bridge and gantry are lifted into place.
Logistics UK is urging government to listen and act on the concerns of the logistics sector as it is set to introduce new and costly border checks on 30 April.
Plus, Labour's 'grey belt' and £1.8 billion port investment announcements evaluated.
Speaking about the announcement from the Department for Transport to allow young people to undertake their theory tests to become an HGV driver before obtaining a provisional licence, Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager for Road Freight Regulation at business group Logistics UK said:
The council has been established to identify and mitigate disruptions to the supply of critical imports such as medicine and hi-tech components.
Logistics Magazine will cover all the latest news on stories breaking in the industry, including developments on COVID-19, Brexit, Clean Air Zones, transport law and decarbonisation.
Our frequent features will tackle the broader issues affecting logistics such as the COVID-19 vaccination programme, technology and innovation, the political and economic landscape, global trade and the drive to reduce emissions across all transport modes.
Each month we explore a different topic in depth in our popular Compliance section, while each week we will publish answers put to our Member Advice Centre team.
View Supplements and previous printed editions of Logistics Magazine here.
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