Home News Features Compliance

🕒 Article read time: 4 minutes

‘Resilient’ supply chain ready to tackle COVID challenge, says FTA


FTA is reassuring UK consumers and businesses that the supply chain is capable of handling challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, as Elizabeth de Jong, FTA’s Policy Director, is keen to point out, the integrity of the supply chain can only be maintained with the support of government and some elements of flexibility to keep goods flowing.

“Logistics is one of the UK’s most flexible and adaptable industries,” she explains, “and is used to reacting to extreme disruption caused by environmental factors, fuel shortages and employment strikes. Our members are working closely with customers to keep things moving and the message is clear – there is plenty of everything the country needs to continue working and living, providing people do not panic buy. Logistics operates a very lean business model, with deliveries made ‘just-in-time’ to keep prices as low as possible, but empty shelves do not mean that stock is not on its way.

“There are particular challenges posed by the potential of illness and self-isolation of workers within the supply chain, but our members are keen to reassure their customers that they will make every effort to ensure any disruption is minimised.

“Logistics is responsible for every item used in this country, from the food we eat to the manufacturing components industry relies upon and, as such, should be recognised as a critical emergency service and its workers given the same recognition as those working for the emergency services or in healthcare. It is vital that they have urgent access to healthcare, washing and toilet facilities and their children are able to attend school, so that the flow of goods can continue unchecked.”

As de Jong continues, logistics also needs government support for contingency plans to address driver shortages caused by sickness, as well as a lack of compliance testing resource to ensure that operators can continue to operate legally and effectively:

“There are still areas of ongoing regulation of our industry which require clarification, to ensure that businesses can continue to function efficiently and keep supplies moving. It is clear that we are facing unprecedented times, and additional financial support may be required for many businesses, particularly those that supply the tourism or hospitality sectors, in the very near future if the logistics sector is to survive.”

The overriding message from the logistics industry, according to de Jong, is to try to maintain normal practices as much as possible: “Logistics can cope with the challenges of the pandemic, providing everyone maintains a balanced and sensible response to the situation. Our members are well prepared to keep goods and materials flowing to all areas of the UK’s economy, providing a pragmatic approach is maintained.”

www.fta.co.uk/coronavirus

Published On: 01/04/2020 10:38:10

 

Comments Section

If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.

There are no comments yet.

In Brief

CONTINGENCY PLANNING

The Senior Traffic Commissioner has issued a Statutory Document that sets out the approach Traffic Commissioners will adopt in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes temporary steps to assist operators who cannot meet the required financial standing levels and advice on what an operator must consider if a transport manager is unable to attend work.

www.gov.uk/government/publications

DRIVERS’ ACCESS TO FACILITIES

Dr Nicholls from Public Health England has issued an open letter to advise distribution centres that, in light of the COVID-19 virus, there is no reason to deny access to toilet facilities to freight drivers or others who do not have the symptoms of a cough or high temperature. The letter underlines the importance of allowing access to toilet and handwashing facilities currently.

www.gov.uk/phe

Latest articles

Ask the MAC

With Percy Thrower, Manager - Dangerous Goods Information.

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

Stellantis leads the way with EV compliance

Stellantis has become one of the few OEMs (vehicle manufacturers) in the UK to comply with the UK’s Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS) – more commonly known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate – for both cars and vans in 2024.

Read time: 3 minutes

View article

Policy win - regulator orders lower charges for HS1

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) announced on 6 January that from April 2025, it is directing HS1 to lower its charges for freight train operating companies to use the high speed rail line from London to the Channel Tunnel. 

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

E-news archive

You can also view our e-news archive here.

E-news archive

Interested in Membership?

Get in contact using the Membership Enquiry Form.

Membership Enquiry Form

Logistics Magazine Portal

The hub for finding relevant and informative features, news & compliance guides from Logistics Magazine

Logistics Magazine Portal Home

Sponsorship Opportunities

Learn more about advertising on the new digital Logistics Magazine, with a variety of advert options to reach 30,000 relevant readers.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Magazine Contents

News

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.

News

Features

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.

Features

Compliance

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.

Compliance

View Supplements and Previous Printed Editions

View Supplements and previous printed editions of Logistics Magazine here.

Previous