Logistics UK says government must prioritise the freight sector as a key foundation to economic growth, which was absent from the new government’s recently published industrial strategy, writes Carol Millett.
The Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy green paper sets out Labour’s industrial strategy, focusing on advanced manufacturing; clean energy industries; creative industries; defence; digital and technologies; financial services; life sciences; and professional and business services.
There is no mention of the logistics sector.
Michelle Gardner, Logistics UK deputy director of policy, said: “Logistics is one of the UK’s key foundational sectors and must be prioritised as such in the final version of the Industrial Strategy to be published in Spring 2025.
“All eight of the ‘growth-driving sectors’ picked out by the Green Paper, depend on an efficient logistics sector. As the government starts to get the economy back on track, we need to ensure that the track is in the best condition possible.
“With appropriate investment, policy changes and the right partnerships with government, the logistics sector could provide a boost of up to £7.9bn per year to the UK’s GDP in productivity gains by 2030: this must be reflected in the Industrial Strategy and forthcoming trade and infrastructure strategies.”
