Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton underlined the importance of HGV drivers to the UK economy last Friday (3 December 2021) when opening Ashford International Truckstop, off the M20 in Kent – the first or last stop for many drivers as they travel to or from France.
Much has been made in the past year of the shortage of HGV drivers and other logistics workers. But after a challenging 12 months for the sector, a new report published by Logistics UK earlier this week (7 December 2021) shows there are grounds for cautious optimism that the situation will improve.
Following the implementation of the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone last week (29 November 2021), Logistics UK has updated its monthly members-only Clean Air Zone (CAZ) briefing note.
If you missed the Logistics UK Van Operations Briefings held in September, you can still watch the recording free of charge to ensure your van operation is prepared for what lies ahead.
Ambitious solutions to improving connectivity between the four nations of the United Kingdom recommended in the Union Connectivity Review published last Friday (26 November 2021), have been broadly welcomed by Logistics UK.
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) recent announcement that laws surrounding the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving will be strengthened, is expected to come into force next year.
After facing a particularly challenging year, Welsh logistics businesses took time out last week to celebrate the sector’s achievements over the past 12 months, with more than 200 of the industry’s leading names gathering at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel on 26 November 2021 for the sell-out Logistics UK annual Welsh Lunch.
As previously reported in Logistics Magazine, the operator licensing regime will extend to selected vans from May 2022.
The road freight supply chain is facing many challenges and opportunities, including the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers, a patchwork of local urban regulations, and the need to decarbonise operations efficiently, Logistics UK told the Transport Select Committee’s inquiry at the House of Commons into the road freight supply chain yesterday (24 November 2021).
The government’s Integrated Rail Plan, announced last week (18 November 2021), which includes the removal of the proposed eastern leg of HS2, represents a missed opportunity to enhance the efficiency of supply chains in the North and Midlands, according to Logistics UK.
The announcement that building regulations have been altered to require new buildings to be fitted with electric vehicle charge points marks significant progress in the nation’s efforts to decarbonise transport, Logistics UK has said.
Logistics UK’s concerted campaign for greater government action on the nationwide driver shortage is paying dividends, with a string of government announcements and assurances.
Logistics UK attended the Department for Transport’s first industry stakeholder forum meeting on HGV driver training recently, following the government’s announcement last week that it is undertaking a sweeping review into the Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) regime.
While the driver shortage is still an urgent issue for the logistics sector, the government has announced a raft of mitigation measures to help ease the problem following extensive campaigning from Logistics UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP has responded positively to Logistics UK’s request for financial support for van operators to transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030.
Logistics UK was invited to attend a roundtable meeting with Sir David Lewis, former CEO of Tesco, last week as the government seeks to get a grip on supply chain issues.
A Transport Select Committee report has raised a number of questions concerning the safety of smart motorways.
Supply chain challenges are not solely a UK problem, Michael Ellis QC MP, the Paymaster General, told Logistics UK members earlier this week (8 November 2021).
While the nationwide shortage of HGV drivers continues to be a pressing issue across the logistics sector, Logistics UK is making headway on several fronts through its engagement with senior officials at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Department for Transport (DfT).
The light commercial vehicle (LCV) market showed a marginal decline of 4.6% in October, according the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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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