Decarbonisation investment welcome, but faster progress is needed says Logistics UK

Thursday 19 October 2023

The creation of Freight Week – aimed at highlighting the essential role logistics plays in the UK economy – and the package of decarbonisation measures announced today (19 October) by government is positive says business group Logistics UK, however it urges that progress must be actioned faster if deadlines are to be met. 

Kate Jennings, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, comments: “We welcome government’s recognition of the how important freight is for creating new jobs, growing the economy and achieving net zero. It is encouraging to see government making long-awaited progress on its promises to help decarbonise our sector, including announcing the outcome of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure competition (ZERFD). However ultimately, we need this progress to be faster, and support actioned promptly if we are to meet impending decarbonisation deadlines. 

“We very much welcome the Call for Evidence to inform and support the development of the zero emission HGV and coach infrastructure strategy which is due to be published in 2024. We have continued to strongly advocate to government that this infrastructure strategy receives adequate input from industry to make sure, when it is eventually rolled out, it is in the right places to serve the sector in the most efficient manner possible.  

“Similarly, Logistics UK has been calling for a review into the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme which currently disproportionately benefits the rail sector; 2022 research indicated that 95% of the funding from this scheme had been allocated to rail freight. While rail provides strong opportunities for modal shift and must be supported, action must be taken to prevent disadvantaging water freight, which also brings many social and economic benefits. We therefore look forward to inputting into this review.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.