🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Windsor Framework: Logistics UK meets with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn MP
Logistics UK Chief Executive David Wells OBE and Head of Trade & Devolved Policy Nichola Mallon met Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn MP on 4 November.
The Secretary of State committed to look into the issues raised by Wells and Mallon, including the case for further action to ease GB to Northern Ireland (NI) trade. Logistics UK highlighted the importance of using the current delay to custom and parcel changes wisely and called for better communication between government andindustry to smooth out issues affecting the movement of goods.
The business group also put forward the case for greater collaboration between the NI Executive, UK government and EU to realise the opportunities in NI from its unique dual market access.
Speaking after the meeting Nichola Mallon commented: “It was encouraging for Logistics UK to meet with the Secretary of State to discuss the Windsor Framework and the challenges facing our sector.
"Our members are working hard to meet all of the existing and forthcoming requirements under the Framework but there is strain from the cumulative burden of change.
“The movement of parcels and implementation of customs systems for goods moving to and from Northern Ireland is a complex issue, requiring many new processes to be put in place.
“Logistics UK pressed government for a delay as, despite best efforts, it was practically impossible for logistics businesses to be ready to meet the original 30 September deadline.
"As we set out to the Secretary of State, for this delay to be productive, we need to see a step change in the government’s communication with, and support to, traders and hauliers moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland. It is also important that logistics businesses start to see the tangible benefits from Northern Ireland’s unique UPS of dual market access.” 
Published On: 14/11/2024 15:00:00
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News In Brief
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate passed by Parliament
The Statutory Instrument (SI) for the SAF Mandate was approved by the House of Lords on 5 November, having been approved by the House of Commons in September.
The minister must now formally sign the SI to complete the legislative process, and this is expected to take place in the coming weeks, with the Mandate coming into force on 1 January 2025.
Speaking in the House of Lords debate on the SI, Transport Minister Lord Hendy highlighted the importance of the SAF mandate to decarbonising aviation. He noted that the government has “been clear that the mandate must deliver fuels with the highest sustainability credentials”.
He added that “although SAF will be more expensive than traditional jet fuel, it must be right that the costs of decarbonising the fuel are borne by those that produce the emissions”.
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