July Edition

Tuesday 09 July 2024

Logistics UK and the General Election

Logistics UK is sending congratulations to all the re-elected and newly elected MPs following the outcome of the general election last week. Over the coming weeks we will be seeking meetings with the new cabinet and ministers to discuss how logistics can maximise the value our sector can provide to kickstart growth given how logistics underpins the economy. In those discussions we will be explaining how our sector is crucial to achieving the UK’s government’s missions to get the country building again. We published our manifesto for the new government in January this year and with the King’s Speech less than two weeks away (17 July), we have published our priorities for the government’s first 100 days.

Van Policy Working Group discusses the ZEV Mandate

Logistics UK’s Van Policy Working Group met on Tuesday 25 June under the new chairmanship of Colin James, General Manager Compliance and Risk at DPD Group UK, to discuss the impact of the new non-zero-emission Van Registration Trading Scheme (VRTS) on vehicle acquisition plans. 

VRTS is also known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. While this year the scheme only limits registrations of new non-zero-emission vans to 90%, the limit of 84% in 2025 is already starting to bite as this is when orders placed now will be delivered. 

Members reported that some manufacturers have imposed individual order limits on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, insisting that at least 16% of the order must be for electric vans, and that other manufacturers are believed to be considering similar restrictions. 

There is a worry that operators may not be able to obtain suitable ICE vehicles to replace ageing vehicles in their fleets, especially if they only wish to place a small order of two or three vehicles. This concern is particularly acute for smaller businesses and those with insufficient power supplies at depots for electric vehicle charging, a lack of fit-for-purpose public chargepoints on their routes, or for those moving heavy loads, auxiliary equipment and travelling long distances. 

The group also met with several Logistics UK team members, including Ben Garratt, Deputy Director – Public Affairs, who discussed Logistics UK’s work around the general election. Jacqui Hillhouse, Support Services Manager – Training, gave details of our new Bridge Strike Prevention e-learning module, while Senior Transport Advisor, Dan Crutchington, gave an overview of the current situation regarding alternatively fuelled vehicles and the top van enquiries to our Member Advice Centre. 

The next meeting of the Van Policy Working Group will be held on Tuesday 3 September - for more details contact Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager – dbeedell@logistics.org.uk. 

Zemo Welsh commercial vehicle decarbonisation

The Zemo Partnership is supporting the Welsh government in developing the decarbonisation chapter of its upcoming Freight Strategy Plan. Zemo is seeking input on actions that can be taken by the Welsh government and industry to help accelerate the decarbonisation of vans and trucks in Wales. Zemo is set to report to the Welsh government at the end of September and will be hosting a series of workshops over the summer to gain feedback on where action needs to be taken, where industry can be assisted in adopting low carbon fuels and moving to zero emission technologies.  

Members with operations in Wales that would like to participate or find out more, email Policy@logistics.org.uk.

People with Warehouse and Storage Level 3 qualification seeking roles in the West Midlands 

Momentum Training is delivering skills bootcamps for the Warehouse and Storage Level 3 qualification, including an FLT licence accredited by RTITB, and is seeking to connect with logistics employers in the West Midlands with vacancies. The bootcamps are entirely funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. 

 If you have relevant vacancies now or coming up for roles requiring this qualification, Momentum Training, based in Birmingham, is offering tours of their site where businesses can see the training operation and meet the tutors and learners. Momentum is running five-week bootcamps, back-to-back with approximately 12 learners at a time. 

If you are interested, email Director Tom Winbow, or call 01332 343 515 or 07805656476. There is no charge from Momentum for this service. 

Scottish Transport Secretary meets with Logistics UK and members  

At the end of last month, Logistics UK and members met with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, in the Scottish Parliament to discuss infrastructure priorities, low carbon fuels, modal shift and electric vehicles. The Cabinet Secretary welcomed the opportunity to meet with industry and said she was aware of how important the logistics sector is and how it is critically important for it to remain at Cabinet level. 

Covering infrastructure and road safety, the impact of closures on the A9, including increased costs for businesses and late arrivals of goods for highland and remote communities was raised. The Cabinet Secretary agreed to look into the Aberdeen - Lerwick ferry service and perceived capacity issues for freight during peak periods. 

On low carbon fuels and modal shift, the cut to the Mode Shift Revenue Support grant was called out as a shock and a surprising decision that is counterintuitive to the government's environmental policies and could be detrimental to rail freight. Low carbon fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) are a suitable alternative to diesel, but costing 20 pence more per litre, the government was asked to consider incentives for using alternative fuels.  

Discussing electric vehicles and charging, Logistics UK called on the Cabinet Secretary to consider the needs of fleet charging as well as private charging for electric vehicles. One member also commented that there could be a clearer timetable in relation to phase out dates and tax incentives for emissions reductions, including moving to electric vehicles. 

The Cabinet Secretary listened and engaged with members, although some issues such as tax incentives are reserved, she reaffirmed her commitment to the sector and supporting some of our asks including acknowledging the role of modal shift. 

Logistics UK highlights the importance of the sector at transport conference

Logistics UK joined a panel discussion on 21 June at the Better Transport Conference, run by the Campaign for Better Transport. During the wide-ranging discussion focussed on logistics, modal shift, planning, infrastructure quality and last mile logistics were all debated. We highlighted how logistics is often forgotten about in local, regional and national plans and how it must be prioritised to help support the sector be as efficient as possible. Other panellists included Dr Daniela Paddeu - Associate Professor of Sustainable Freight Futures at the University of the West of England and Harriet Hird - Head of Marketing at Zedify. 

Professor Anand Menon delivers the inaugural Sir James Whitehead Address to an audience of logistics leaders, policy makers and thought leaders  

Logistics UK hosted the inaugural Sir James Whitehead Address on 19 June, bringing together an audience of logistics leaders, policy makers and thought leaders to discuss the sector’s political and economic landscape. 

The address entitled ‘Trade, economics and a crisis of politics’ was delivered by Anand Menon, Professor of European and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London and Director of UK in a Changing Europe. 

He set out how major economic and political shifts have impacted our trade, the long-term impact of EU Exit on our politics, the UK’s challenging economic performance and the hard choices that will face whoever wins the election. 

Professor Menon’s address was followed by discussion chaired by Logistics UK Chief Executive David Wells OBE with John McTernan, former Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Tony Blair, James Wroath, CEO of Wincanton and Michelle Gardner, Logistics UK Deputy Director – Policy. The wide-ranging conversation covered what we could expect from Labour if it wins the election, what it will take to get growth going in a constrained fiscal environment, the vital role the logistics sector plays underpinning the economy, its need for planning reform and grid infrastructure to kickstart green growth, and the opportunity for automation to drive UK productivity. 

David Wells opened the event by explaining its purpose is to support the logistics sector to understand and engage with the big issues that are shaping our world and politics. 

Logistics UK holds online roundtable with Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport 

On Monday 17 June 2024, Logistics UK and members met with Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport. This online roundtable was to discuss the needs for Wales to have a bespoke Welsh Freight and Logistics Plan. 

During this meeting, the Cabinet Secretary set out his priorities for Wales which included getting Wales moving again and alleviating congestion on the roads. He is aiming to provide local authorities with more flexibility on how they use their funding. This means more can be used to focus on road maintenance and to ensure that Wales is meeting statutory duties for the trunk road network. The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the 20mph restrictions and his work to return some roads to 30mph. The Cabinet Secretary said he wants to ensure there is a consistent approach to transport across roads, rail, and active travel, and acknowledged that freight and logistics are hugely important to the Welsh economy. 

Charging Zones

Logistics UK has updated its monthly Clean Air Zone (CAZ) member briefing note, which contains a full list of all schemes. The document covers Logistics UK’s policy position on urban air quality restrictions and contains information on all CAZs in development, including Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and other clean air measures proposed for cities across the UK. 

The Cabinet Secretary stressed the need for Wales to have a Freight and Logistics Plan and said that he wants to ensure this is co-designed with Logistics UK and its members. During the meeting members discussed the need for high quality, integrated logistics transport infrastructure, a fair transition to a green economy as well as a skills partnership to support a thriving logistics sector. 

International

CDS Imports: CDS Reimbursement Digital Service 

The new online service for claiming back import duty and VAT is now live. HMRC new online service to claim back overpaid customs duties and VAT for import declarations made through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is now live. Members can access the online service by going to How to apply for a repayment of import duty and VAT if you've overpaid (C285) or Claim repayment or remission of charges on rejected imports (C&E1179) and clicking on the ‘Start now’ button. 

To use this service members must be subscribed to the Customs Declaration Service. By using the online service, members can save time and effort while reducing errors. Documents such as invoices can be securely uploaded to support claims while the claims dashboard allows all claims to be viewed in one place. 

Who can use the online service? 

VAT-registered businesses, only to claim import duty. 

Businesses that are not VAT-registered to claim both import duty and import VAT. 

Who cannot use the online service? 

VAT-registered businesses who wish to claim import VAT must do so using their VAT return. 

Any business claiming a repayment following a Trade Remedy Authority review should continue to use the C285 CDS form. 

Private individuals or any party that is not a business or company should continue to use the C285 CDS form. 

If members have any questions, including help with subscribing to the CDS and general import enquiries please contact HMRC through one of their channels. Members can also speak to their Account Manager or Customer Compliance Manager if members have one. 

New export health certificates required for certain Products of Animal Origin (POAO) for export to EU /movement to Ireland 

On 31 May 2024, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published its new export health certificates (EHC) for products of animal origin (POAO) intended for human consumption, for export to the European Union (EU), movement to Northern Ireland or transit through the EU to a third country. There is also a transitional period. 

DEFRA’s amended EHCs are now available at EHC Online (EHCO), which traders can begin to use as new POAO EHCs for export from GB. 

Key timelines: 

• From 31 May 2024 – members can use the new POAO EHCs for export from GB. 

• Between 15 June 2024 and 15 September 2024, the existing/old EHCs can continue to be used, where the certificate has been issued no later than the 15 June 2024. This authorisation is applicable for entry into the EU or for transit through the EU to a third country. 

Members can visit here for further information including an annex containing a list of amended EHCs.

From the MAC

Q: The tachograph unit in one of our vehicles has developed a fault, and the local garage has said it could be several months before the parts arrive, but there is an alternative manufacturer unit available, but it would be the only one of its kind on our fleet. Are we able to operate the vehicle while we wait for the parts to arrive?  

A: There is a defence against conviction for a breach of the rules when the tachograph is not in working order. This would apply only if it had not become reasonably practicable for the equipment to be repaired by an approved fitter or workshop.  

Whilst it is up to the courts to decide what is reasonable in terms of a time frame for parts to be sourced, it could be argued that several months is not, especially when a replacement is more readily available; albeit from a different manufacturer. The question would also be raised as to what other steps were taken to get this repaired, such as approaching other repair agents to see if they were able to source parts or had any available. 

There will be differences between manufacturers, however, the general operation of both units is the same so this could be considered a suitable alternative and solution to the issue. 

Q: Is it a legal requirement to fit wheel nut security indicators to our fleet of vans?  

A: There is no legal requirement to have wheel nut indicators fitted to vehicles. Wheel nut indicators are more of a company best practice and are there as a driver aid to help identify any loose wheel nuts. It is a legal requirement to ensure that all the wheels fitted are always in good condition and secure when using the vehicles on and off the public highway. 

The optional use of wheel nut security indicators can assist with visual checks carried out by the driver.