Comment from FTA on the Gov’s Brexit Announcement
James Hookham, Deputy CEO of FTA, which speaks for the logistics industry, commented: “While a deal is preferable to the potential disruption which a No Deal Brexit would bring, FTA will continue to advise government on how the logistics industry can Keep Britain Trading, whatever the potential solution. “FTA has offered to help the Government […]
FTA Warns Authorities on Limitations of Clean Air Zones
Clean Air Zones (CAZs) are not the most effective way to reach government-imposed air quality improvement targets, according to FTA, the voice of the UK logistics sector. FTA has written a briefing note to support local authorities which have been asked by government to model CAZs, explaining the limitations of these disruptive schemes and advising […]
Respite Opportunity Presented to Logistics Operators
As the UK government announced a further £2 billion in funding and the EU extended access to the market after the UK leaves, the possibly of a brief respite presented itself to logistics operators preparing for Brexit. During a spending review, in which chancellor Sajid Javid declared “an end to austerity”, he pledged the £2 […]
FTA Response to Government Spending Review
Heidi Skinner, Head of Policy & Public Affairs Manager at FTA, commented: “As the business organisation representing the logistics sector, FTA is pleased to see the Chancellor’s announcement of a further £2 billion for Brexit delivery in the Spending Review earlier today (4 September 2019). The logistics industry is acutely aware of the need for government to support […]
Ready for a No-Deal? – Brexit Checklist
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stated clearly that the UK will leave the European Union on 31 October 2019 – with or without a deal. Yet for logistics operators, there are still many questions unanswered, or working practices which will require clarification in order to ensure the seamless movement of goods and services domestically […]
UK Businesses Should Take Government Freeports Claims with Pinch of Salt
An international logistics expert has said UK businesses should view the government’s rhetoric about its proposal to introduce freeports after Brexit with some scepticism for now. Adam Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, said the government had just created a Freeports Advisory Panel, including ministers from the Treasury and Department for International Trade, plus […]
FTA Comments on Manchester Clean Air Zone
Commenting on the bringing forward by two years of plans to include vans in Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone, Mags Simpson, FTA’s Head of Policy for Northern England, said: “While the logistics sector is fully committed to reducing vehicle emissions wherever possible and acknowledges the role the industry must play in improving the air quality […]
Gatwick Airport Station Receives £150M Investment
An investment of £150million investment has been announced by the Government for the upgrade of the railway station at Gatwick Airport. The upgrade includes doubling the size of the station concourse, widening two platforms, adding five new lifts and eight new escalators, according to a spokesman from the Department for Transport. The improvements are intended […]
Accessibility Upgrades Set for UK Rail Network
Following a £20 million government fund, a series of accessibility improvements designed to open up journeys for disabled passengers will be made to UK railway stations. The fund will be open for applications from stations in need of accessibility improvements, leading to small-scale enhancements such as tactile paving, handrails and Harrington Humps, which increase platform […]
Air Freight Must be Prioritised in Government’s Strategy
Air freight will play a pivotal role in achieving Britain’s future trading ambitions post-Brexit, according to FTA, so it must be placed front and centre of the government’s aviation strategy. Responding to the consultation, Aviation 2050 — the future of UK aviation, FTA is calling for a dedicated freight chapter in the White Paper; the government must set […]
Warnings About the Conservative Leadership Contest
An international logistics expert has said the UK’s companies trading with the EU are becoming increasingly worried the Conservative leadership contest could end up damaging their businesses. Adam Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, said many commentators had suggested the race to succeed Theresa May would effectively waste much of the additional time granted […]
MPs Think the UK Needs a National Bus Strategy
MPs have announced that the bus, which is Britain’s most popular form of public transport, is in ‘steady decline’ due to uncoordinated, fragmented government policy and local funding. To solve this issue, the cross-party Transport Select Committee has called on the Government to create a single national bus strategy, as for rail and strategic roads […]
Government Fails to Deliver Apprentice Reform Progress
Back in 2017 the Government had taken the decision to reform the apprenticeships programme; however since then, it has failed to make the progress it predicted. A new damning report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found the number of apprenticeship starts fell by 26% after the apprenticeship levy was introduced and, […]
Rail Transport Investment for Northern England
A government minister admitted that Northern England’s transport system has suffered “long-term under-investment stretching back decades”. However, he also mentioned that the proposed £70 billion improvement plan might not be fully funded. Andrew Jones, a junior transport minister, said there was a strong case for greater investment in the North but warned that other projects […]
Free Buses to Tackle Transport Pollution?
With official statistics showing that transport is the most carbon-producing sector in the UK, buses should become free in order to encourage people to ditch their cars and reduce greenhouse has emissions. Figures show that greenhouse gases were down by 3% in 2016, while in 2017 carbon dioxide was also down 3%. The UK’s carbon […]
Government to Request Article 50 Deadline Extension
A leading logistics expert has said the government should now ask the EU to extend the Article 50 period in the interests of the UK’s traders with the bloc. Adam Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, said there were now fewer than 70 days to go before the UK was scheduled to leave the […]
Crossrail funding hits £17.6Bn confirmed by the government
An extra £1.7 billion in funding has been confirmed by the government for the delayed Crossrail project, as it also announced the appointment of a new chairman and deputy chairman. After the Department for Transport and Transport for London contributed an extra £300 million in July this year, transport minister Andrew Jones admitted a further […]
Businesses Welcome Government’s Record Road Improvement
A leading logistics expert has said businesses would welcome the Government’s pledge to spend £30bn on English road improvements and should see the announcement as a key part of its Brexit preparations. David Johnson, managing director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight said the funding represented a 40 per cent increase on the current five-year highways […]
Businesses Welcome Government’s Record Road Improvement Programme
Businesses would welcome the Government’s pledge to spend £30 billion on English road improvements and should see the announcement as a key part of its Brexit preparations, said a leading logistics expert. David Johnson, managing director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight said the funding represented a 40% increase on the current five-year highways plan and […]
FTA Comments on New Government Brexit Paper
On the 15th of August, the Government released their paper detailing their proposals for the trade and customs arrangements after Brexit. The Freight Transport Association, the FTA, have said that releasing this information represents a step in the right direction during these discussions. The FTA have however said that the plans in this paper are […]
FTA Calls on Government to Keep Severn Toll Promise
FTA calls on Government to keep Severn toll promise The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is calling on the Government to guarantee its pre-election promise to remove all charges on the Severn Bridges. The FTA represents the transport interests of companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air in the logistics industry. Before the UK […]
Government Lobbied For ‘Mandatory’ Telematics
The government has been urged to make telematics mandatory for young drivers. With the Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) set to rise again, young drivers can be paying £2,000 annually in motor insurance. To combat this, the government has been urged to make drivers from 17-21 exempt from IPT while also making telematics compulsory. Drivers with […]
