subject: Delivery companies urge new UK Government to show support [print this page] Delivery companies urge new UK Government to show support
The hung parliament which has emerged as a result of the UK general election has raised fears among some logistics and delivery industry observers that the concerns of the freight industry could slip down the political agenda. The behind-closed-doors way in which the deal between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to enter a coalition was concluded was behind many fears expressed that the industry might find it more difficult to flag up issues of concern.
There are particular fears that issues which affect delivery companies are not high on the agendas of either the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats. The British International Freight Association (BIFA) represents more than 1,400 logistics and freight forwarding businesses. Its Director General, Peter Quantrill, said it was essential that new Prime Minister David Cameron attached appropriate priority to listening to the needs and concerns of British delivery companies when it was considering the spending plans which his party had promised to present in an emergency budget within weeks of taking office.
He called for joined-up thinking, for freight transport issues generally to be given a higher priority, and for UK-based worldwide carriers to be allowed to adopt more effective methods of overseeing complex, multi-national supply chains. There was an urgent need for the new government to address the UK's neglected roads network, and to take a long-term, strategic approach to tackling traffic congestion, Mr Quantrill added.
He also remarked that a similarly broad yet focused viewpoint was needed to ensure the long-term survival of the UK's ports. Meanwhile, the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which lobbies on behalf of the industry, urged the new government to acknowledge the vital role which road transport plays in the UK's economy.
It has asked for the fuel duty escalator, which allowed for taxes on petrol and diesel to be raised above the rate of inflation on a year-on-year basis, to be scrapped, and wants to see changes to the way lorries are taxed. Improved security at overnight truck parking area and harmonisation of the level of duty on diesel with the rest of the European Union are also measures the RHA would be campaigning for, said Geoff Dunning, the Association's Chief Executive. Promoting high standards in the industry would encourage delivery companies to engage with the government and ensure their participation in bringing about the rebuilding of the UK economy, Mr Dunning added.
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