Cross-party government group re-established for freight and logistics sector

A cross-party government group has been reestablished following the General Election to highlight the importance of the UK’s freight and logistics sector to the UK economy.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Freight and Logistics brings together parliamentarians and stakeholders from across the UK.

The group will focus on the wider benefits the industry brings to the daily lives of people throughout the country.

The first new meeting was addressed by Lilian Greenwood MP, the Minister for the Future of Roads. 

Greenwood highlighted how road freight and logistics are central to the Government’s plans to grow the economy.

She also spoke about the sector being a key enabler to growth, pointing at the importance of it reliably transporting goods across the country.

Greenwood addressed the challenges facing the industry, including the incoming Entry Exit System changes at ports, poor driver facilities, diversity in the sector and economically stifling planning policy.

Rachel Taylor MP has been elected as chair of the reestablished APPG.

Also elected to officer roles were Andrew Pakes MP, Lord Taylor of Holbeach and Richard Holden MP.

Fifteen MPs joined the inaugural meeting in person, with 40 members in total, a record number for the group.

Over the next year, the group’s programme of work will include sessions on facilities, international issues, the road to net zero and diversity in the sector.

The group will also launch a new freight crime report and a driver welfare campaign.

Taylor said: “It's important to work across all parties to ensure the needs of the sector are addressed especially in relation to freight crime, insolvency and addressing the needs of workers.

“Logistics is central to the economy in my constituency of North Warwickshire and Bedworth, and I look forward to representing the views of local businesses and the wider industry across the country over the next Parliament."