Greater European Alignment Will Assist Logistics in Driving Trade,

 (Copyright text and images Logistics UK, reproduced with kind permission)

If logistics businesses are to fulfil the industry's potential to drive growth through increased trade with Europe, the European Partnership Bill announced in today's King's Speech will put the sector on the road towards easier trading relationships with the continent, according to business group Logistics UK.

"Our members are critical to every trading move between the UK and the EU, our closest trading partner,"

says Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK's Chief Executive, "

but have been hampered since the UK's departure from the trading bloc by greater administrative red tape that has slowed processes and increased costs. Any delay at the border adds time and cost to every transaction – costs which impact the supply chain and, ultimately, the bottom line.

"We have been pressing government for some time to consider ways to make UK/EU trade simpler, so today's announcement of a framework of powers to ease business between the UK and our largest trading market is very welcome. We need goods to move smoothly and swiftly across borders without administrative delays, rather than becoming bogged down in processes which act as a roadblock to potential growth.

"This Bill is a strong start to resetting trading relations with the EU, by addressing SPS and emissions trading and allowing for powers to be extended to new treaties with the EU in the future. With this in mind, to fully unlock growth and economic opportunities, we also calling for closer alignment on customs to be prioritised by government."

Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk