The new UK government should prioritise partnerships with the logistics sector to develop Labour’s promised industrial strategy and kickstart economic growth within the first 100 days, according to business group Logistics UK. The group emphasises the sector's potential to boost productivity and create skilled roles, highlighting it as crucial for the nation's economic recovery.

Logistics UK has outlined several actions for the government. They recommend establishing a cross-Whitehall Logistics Productivity Forum, led by a dedicated minister for logistics and supply chain with cross-departmental responsibilities to streamline policies affecting logistics, including industrial strategy, planning, energy, trade, and skills.

Immediate dialogue with the logistics sector is essential to develop a National Logistics Network, reform planning to support infrastructure and the logistics industry, create a logistics roadmap to net zero and transition to clean energy, and address recruitment, retention, and trade changes impacting logistics.

To support efficient and green movement of goods, Logistics UK urges the government to identify and improve key transport corridors. They also stress the importance of progressing the Lower Thames Crossing, Smart Motorways, and rail upgrades. A logistics roadmap to net zero should be developed, including electrification and low carbon fuels, alongside upgrading energy transmission and vehicle charging infrastructure.

Enhancing skills and reducing barriers is another priority. Logistics UK highlights the need for continued funding for the Generation Logistics campaign, reforming the Apprenticeship Levy to a Growth and Skills Levy, aligning skills provision with the industrial strategy, and improving facilities for logistics workers and technical course funding.

To support trade and reduce regulatory burdens, Logistics UK recommends mitigating the impact of recent and upcoming trade changes, working with French counterparts and the EU to streamline border processes, and further digitalising trading processes and Single Trade Window interoperability. They also suggest addressing legacy barriers to air freight at UK airports and setting objectives for expanding the UK's trading relationship with the EU.

For road freight, Logistics UK suggests passing Driver CPC reforms and simplifying drivers’ hours regulations, supporting longer semi-trailers and electronic recording of drivers' hours, establishing national standards for reporting freight crime, and allowing Earned Recognition operators to conduct their own MOT testing. For fiscal stability, they propose a dynamic Fuel Duty mechanism, long-term funding for road maintenance, incentives for low carbon and sustainable fuels, extending mode shift grants and financial support for fleet decarbonisation, and halting proposed changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP).

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)