Business group Logistics UK is warning the government to do more to stimulate economic activity and restore consumer confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic, after the group’s own research indicated that the nation’s businesses are stagnating, after two months’ of cautious re-opening. As David Wells, the group’s Chief Executive explained, consumer caution and an unclear path back to ‘business as … [Read more...]
From canals to carriageways, the FTA takes a new road today
One of the UK's oldest motoring organisations today changed its name to embrace modern transport. The FTA, which can trace its origins to campaigning for operators rights since 1888, has become Logistics UK. Following the 1888 Railway and Canal Traffic Act traders were given a right of complaint to the Board of Trade if they felt that railway rates or services were unreasonable, according to … [Read more...]
M4 congestion report bypasses facts, says logistics group
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Budget of hope to smooth rough ride ahead
The Budget provides something for today’s and tomorrow’s drivers, said RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes. “Today the Chancellor has given a boost to drivers of today’s vehicles with a fuel duty freeze while also investing in tomorrow with funding for rapid charging hubs for electric vehicles, an extension to the plug-in car grant, funding to repair Britain’s roads and a commitment to spend on … [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...]
Newslines 28 January
More than 22% of parents and grandparents who transport children by car admit to not using a child car seat all of the time putting lives at risk, says the RAC. While 16% of those who confessed to breaking the law by not properly securing their youngest passengers said they had done so only very rarely, a worrying 3% said they regularly do this and another 3% say they do it sometimes. After the … [Read more...]