🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
General Election 2024 – Logistics UK’s manifesto
Yesterday, 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak named the date for a general election, and the UK will go to the polls on 4th July, 2024.
In anticipation of a 2024 general election, Logistics UK published its manifesto in January, setting out how our sector underpins the economy and its priorities for a new government including the need for a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain, with cross-departmental responsibilities.
View the Logistics UK Manifesto here
Logistics UK’s Director of Policy and Communications Kevin Green said: “The forthcoming general election presents Logistics UK with a great opportunity to outline the key priorities of the logistics sector. We will be engaging with candidates of all parties in the run up to July 4th on behalf of our members to ensure that our industry is given full representation and consideration.”
Logistics UK is examining what the election timing means for the industry, including various pending pieces of legislation affecting the logistics sector, and whether certain bills are likely to be passed before Parliament is dissolved and those that may be delayed or disbanded.
We are also examining what it means for the timing of the next budget and spending review. Following the election, Logistics UK will be engaging with new ministers, committee chairs and backbench MPs to highlight the importance of logistics, including organising visits to key logistics sites in order to give them a better understanding of our sector and its plans and concerns.
Published On: 23/05/2024 15:00:00
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News In Brief
Lowering minimum age requirement for train drivers will ease skills shortage says Logistics UK
DfT’s consultation on lowering the minimum age requirement for train drivers could help ease the skills shortage across the sector and ensure rail freight has the drivers it needs to keep goods moving. Speaking about Logistics UK’s response to the consultation, Ellis Shelton, Senior Policy Advisor, said:
“The current government set a target of at least 75% growth in rail freight by 2050 and as more freight is moved on rails, it is inevitable that more drivers will be needed to achieve this growth."
However, the sector is facing a significant skills shortage and up to 120,000 additional people will be required by 2030 with the demand for skills peaking around 2025. This is largely as a result of an ageing workforce, with nearly 50,000 rail industry employees expected to retire by 2030.
“Only 5% of the rail industry’s workforce are under 25," continues Shelton, "so lowering the minimum age for train drivers to 18 is a practical step to encourage younger people into the industry and address the ageing workforce, but an efficient rail network needs more than just drivers.
“There are numerous critical roles alongside drivers, such as engineers and technicians, where there are also skills shortages and Logistics UK has been pressing government for some time for a clear national strategy to help address the skills gap in this vital sector.
"The Generation Logistics campaign is part of the solution, but there still needs to be better signposting of the careers available and more support for apprenticeships through government funding and less complicated access.”
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