The report published last week by the South East Wales Transport Commission that aims to tackle congestion on the M4 bypasses the key role which freight plays in sustaining the communities and industry in Wales, according to the business group which represents the logistics sector. “Disappointingly, the report overlooks the key role which logistics plays in keeping the Welsh economy supported … [Read more...]
EC wasting € Millions on ‘outdated’ truck stops – warning
The ongoing European Commission initiative to develop new standards for safe and secure truck parking areas in Europe is highly relevant to ensure safe and good resting conditions for European truck drivers but does not meet future low carbon transport needs, say vehicle makers. Welcoming the trucking initiative, ACEA said that in the context of the European Green Deal and given the … [Read more...]
UK Border plan is helpful, now get deal done say FTA
Logistics as an industry is highly flexible and can quickly adapt to circumstances, as we have seen throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Nevertheless it is good to have confirmation of how goods are expected to move between the UK and EU from the start of next year. "We are advising our members to do all they can to get Brexit ready, for example adapting their systems to produce the right border … [Read more...]
Use levy to boost driving and other skills as priority
The Freight sector wants Government funds redirected to keep Britain moving after the Coronavirus epidemic eases. With more than 12,000 people losing their jobs in the past week across the UK, and many more redundancies expected as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme winds down, the business group representing the logistics sector is urging government to permit the switching of the industry’s … [Read more...]
More business to go digital
The lockdown is leading to a rapid expansion in the digitisation of fleet services, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. Co-chair Paul Hollick explained that the trend could be seen right across the spectrum of the industry, from service providers to how employers communicated with drivers. He said: “Much of this trend has been prompted by the sudden and widespread switch to home working … [Read more...]
Banks tardiness threatens coronavirus recovery
The Government must make lenders move faster to access the special loan scheme or businesses will fail, says the FTA. On 2 April, Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announced changes to the government’s Corona Business Interruption Loan Scheme, vowing to take “all action necessary” to make sure government backed loans were benefitting businesses as planned. But only a month later, FTA, the business … [Read more...]
Fleets urged to take renewable fuels route
A new guide from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership for fleet operators shows how renewable fuels can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions in road transport, particularly from commercial vehicles for which few low emission solutions are currently available. While the focus has been mainly on vehicle electrification for meeting the UK’s net zero target as it applies to road transport, … [Read more...]
Logistics industry can meet delivery challenges
The business group which represents the logistics industry 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 … [Read more...]
Cardiff’s “valleys tax” faces challenge
Opponents of Cardiff’s controversial Clean Air Zone plan for the city will be heartened after a similar scheme for Coventry was rejected by the UK Government. The government’s dismissal of a charging Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Coventry is the right decision for the local economy and the city’s long-term air quality prospects, according to FTA, the only business group representing all the logistics … [Read more...]
Apprenticeship levy is a wasted resource but also a tax
The Government's apprenticeship levy is a wasted resource and become just another tax for businesses, says the freight sector. In response to figures obtained by the BBC that reveal employers are failing to use hundreds of millions of pounds that was intended for training apprentices, Sally Gilson, Head of Skills Policy at FTA, said, “As the business organisation representing the logistics … [Read more...]