UK
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) Public Policy Committee has released statements following the Kings Speech that outlined new legalisation proposed by the new Labour Government affecting the logistics, transport and supply chain industry. This legislation, of course, will have implications for laundry transport fleets.
CILT UK’s director of public policy and communications, Daniel Parker-Klein, said: “The King’s speech signals a recognition by the new Government of the transformative opportunities provided by the transport, logistics and the wider supply chain.
“We welcome the government’s ambition contained with the Bills announced today and the prominent position our profession plays within them.
“The Government is seeking to improve both local and national transport links, empower local decision making with greater devolution, to focus on net zero and sustainable energy, to increase the provision of housing and to improve the skills landscape to enable all this to be delivered.
“Much work needs to be done to achieve this ambition and there is a great deal of detail to explore, but we welcome the opportunity to work closely with the government providing an expert, professional balanced perspective.”
Dominic Scholfield, CILT environment policy group chair, added: “We cautiously welcome this Government’s stated intention to review the planning system and urge that they take the opportunity to push for (a) more local service provision to reduce the need to travel, and (b) better standards regarding active travel infrastructure as part of new developments. We also urge that they strengthen the cross-department work on planning, energy and transport to deliver faster rollout of infrastructure for electric vehicles, from cars to trucks, and to leverage smart charging as a solution to matching supply and demand as they move to more renewable energy on the grid.”
Ian Wainwright, freight and logistics policy group chair, commented: “We welcome the potential of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, especially if it provides for speedier development of critical transport infrastructure and facilitates more transparent planning decisions. We would urge the new Government to take on board the CILT response to the DfT October 2023 Consultation on Freight and Logistics and the Planning System, where we identified the need for changes to planning controls and for guidance on freight and logistics facilities of national significance.
“I would hope that the Skills England Bill recognises the benefits of Generation Logistics, helps to develop the next generation of logistics professionals, and addresses the shortage of freight and logistics knowledge amongst planners and regulators.”
