Unleash the power of logistics – Scottish government needs to appoint dedicated logistics minister, says Logistics UK

Tuesday 04 June 2024

Logistics underpins the Scottish economy and drives inclusive growth for business and industry, but to realise the power of the sector fully, leading business group Logistics UK is urging the Scottish government to appoint a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain.

In its comprehensive report “Logistics: underpinning Scotland’s economy”, Logistics UK highlights the significance of the sector to the Scottish economy and identifies four key areas where the Scottish government must focus attention to drive inclusive growth: unlocking investment through public-private partnerships; innovative and integrated infrastructure; a just transition to a green economy and addressing the skills challenge.

Outlining the vital role logistics plays in the Scottish economy, Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager - Scotland, Alexandra Herdman, says, “There are more than 200,000 people employed in logistics roles in Scotland and we have over 10,000 logistics businesses, making, selling and moving the goods that the country’s economy relies on every day. The contribution the sector makes cannot be understated but we also know that there is a significant opportunity for Scotland and the UK as a whole if our industry can realise its full potential.

“By prioritising logistics, Scottish policymakers can help deliver productivity gains to help supercharge the UK economy by up to £7.9 billion per year by 2030. Logistics can have a dramatic impact on the growth of the Scottish economy if time and money is invested in facilitating the sector’s efficiency, which is why we are recommending the appointment of a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain who can deliver across the Scottish government.”

Identifying four key areas to drive inclusive growth, the report highlights the strategic role a partnership between the Scottish government and logistics businesses would play by unlocking investment and enabling the sector to maximise the benefit it delivers. It also emphasises the importance of interconnected infrastructure to utilise different transport modes efficiently, and identifies key infrastructure priorities for Scotland including the planned dualling of the A9 and rail capacity improvements and electrification.  In addition, the report stresses how a just transition to net zero is key to ensuring Scotland maximises the impact of a thriving logistics sector.

Alexandra Herdman explains, “The logistics sector is committed to playing its part to help achieve net zero and recognises its responsibilities, but it is equally clear this must be a just transition that keeps costs down and supply chains resilient.”

Herdman continues, “Our industry is packed with interesting, well paid jobs which underpin the whole economy, but attracting people to logistics must be a team effort. To achieve this, Logistics UK is pressing the Scottish government, Skills Development Scotland, and education providers to ensure young people and those looking for a new career have an accurate impression of the logistics sector and the range of the critical and fulfilling careers available.”

Download a copy of “Logistics: underpinning Scotland’s economy” here:  https://logistics.org.uk/research-hub/policies/logistics-underpinning-scotland-s-economy

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, sea 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. For more information about the organisation and its work, please contact us here: Contact Us