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 UK’s Discover Logistics Careers campaign got off to a strong start last weekend (29-31 October 2021), the business group has said, with a repeat event already being planned for next year.
Following requests from industry, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP has extended the temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours regulation in Great Britain until the beginning of next year, owing to continued pressures on local and national supply chains.
Logistics UK recognises the need for last week’s announcement (28 October 2021) by government of a temporary, limited extension to road haulage cabotage – the system under which overseas hauliers can transport goods between two places in the UK after completing their initial journey.
In its detailed submission to HM Treasury, ahead of the Spending Review and Autumn Budget, Logistics UK cited a survey of its members, which showed that van operators are being hampered from scaling up EV deployment owing to the high costs of increasing electricity to depots to power a whole fleet.
Andy Eastlake, CEO of Zemo Partnership, Jackie Hewson, Alternative Fuels Implementation Manager – Transport at John Lewis Partnership, and Elaine Pringle, Fleet Manager at Scottish Water are the latest speakers confirmed to present at Logistics UK’s FREE ‘Route to Net Zero’ webinar, which will see the business group launch its decarbonisation manifesto virtually from Glasgow.
Following the recent publication of the government’s Net Zero Strategy ahead of the COP26 international conference in Glasgow, decarbonisation is rapidly climbing to the top of the logistics sector’s agenda.
When the Department for Transport (DfT) published its long-awaited Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP) in July, it also produced a raft of other documents alongside it relating to the UK’s plans to reach net zero emissions. Chief among these was the non-zero emission HGV Phase-Out Consultation.
This week's (27 October 2021) Budget announcement of a continued freeze on fuel duty will assist the logistics sector in its move to decarbonisation by 2050, according to business group Logistics UK. As Elizabeth de Jong, the organisation’s policy director explains, the announcement will enable businesses to make the switch to alternatively fuelled vehicles more smoothly.
Logistics UK announced its partnership with leading driver medical supplier D4Drivers, earlier this week (18 October 2021), to offer its members easier access to driver medicals, and improve overall health and well-being across the logistics industry.
A broad range of Logistics UK members, including household names such as Aldi, John Lewis Partnership and Wincanton, are planning to host more than 25 open events during the Discover Logistics Careers weekend of 29-31 October 2021.
Billed as the “biggest investment in the north’s road network for a generation”, the planned upgrade of the A66 promises to play a major part in National Highways’ Roads Investment Strategy.
Reforms to the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) designed to accelerate chargepoint provision in apartment blocks and rental accommodation to take effect from April 2022 have been welcomed by Logistics UK.
Logistics UK has been engaging closely with its members and across all levels of government in recent weeks to seek solutions to the ongoing HGV driver shortage.
Logistics UK is receiving reports from members of rising stock levels at some of the UK’s biggest container ports, including Felixstowe and Southampton, prompting concerns of severe congestion in supply chains just 10 weeks before Christmas.
Logistics UK reacted with cautious optimism to yesterday’s announcement (13 October 2021) from the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Van drivers across the UK are being targeted by thieves on the hunt for expensive tools, with research revealing over a quarter (27%) have had equipment stolen from vans in the last 12 months.
Logistics UK will be launching its route map to help decarbonise the logistics industry via a webinar on 10 November 2021, as it publishes its Route to net zero manifesto on the dedicated Transport Day at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
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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