London's Businesses Need a Freight Commissioner

The next Mayor of London must appoint a dedicated Freight

 Commissioner if the capital's businesses are to maximise their

 productivity and drive growth for the capital, according to business

 group Logistics UK.

 "Logistics is one of London's key economic sectors," explains Chris

 Yarsley, Logistics UK's senior policy advisor, "and has the potential

 to accelerate real benefits for the capital's economy if its role is

 considered and supported by policy makers. The capital's

 35,000 logistics businesses deliver everything London needs, every

 day, and the industry provides jobs for more than a quarter of a

 million Londoners – almost 5% of the city's employees. Yet the needs

 of the sector are often relegated to an afterthought once decisions on

 construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and even waste management

 have been made.

 "If London is to maintain its role as one of the world's most

 dynamic, progressive cities, it is critical that logistics is

 considered as part of the wider plans for the capital's future, and

 not viewed in isolation or simply as a mode of transport. This is why

Our members – businesses from right across the supply chain – are keen

to see the next Mayor create a role that secures logistics its

 rightful place within the London Plan, supports the industry to

develop a pipeline of talent, and ensures the swift and efficient implementation of the Mayor's Transport Strategy freight

 recommendations."

The call for a dedicated Freight Commissioner for the capital is part

of Logistics UK's London Manifesto, which is being launched today

 ahead of the upcoming Mayoral and London Assembly elections. As

 Yarsley continues, the ambition is that all candidates will adopt the

 proposals contained within the document to ensure that the impact of

 the logistics industry can be maximised for the benefit of all

 Londoners.

 "Logistics has a critical role to play in addressing the strategic

 opportunities and challenges facing London, to make it cleaner, safer

 and more prosperous and, ultimately, a better place to live and work.

 When it is considered as part of wider economic development, logistics

 can and does drive real growth – our research has shown that, given

 the role it deserves, our sector would deliver up to £7.9 billion in

 UK productivity-led growth per year.

 "But to be able to achieve that level of growth, logistics

 businesses, their needs and concerns need to be part of the bigger

 agenda for London's Mayor and the city's administration – not

 considered as an unnecessary afterthought."

 Alongside the call for a London Freight Commissioner, Logistics UK's

 manifesto includes calls to develop innovative and integrated

 infrastructure plans that will ensure goods are moved in the most

 productive, strategic and green manner. Logistics UK's member

businesses are keen to see investment in river crossings, as well as

innovative solutions for major routes, kerbside access and home

 deliveries. At the same time, as Yarsley concludes, it is vital that

London's road safety standards are maintained – something which the

Logistics sector is fully committed to achieving:

 "Logistics businesses in the capital need to operate as safely and

 efficiently as possible, with the most vulnerable road users protected

and innovation and education used to maximise the use of new ideas for

 operation. At the same time, the industry is committed to a greener

 future for the capital, and a Freight Commissioner would help the

 sector achieve its goals by linking disparate areas of policymaking

 and identifying opportunities for all. Our industry stands ready to

 deliver for London – our businesses deserve support at the highest

 level of local government to help us achieve this."

To see a full copy of Logistics UK's London Manifesto, go to:

https://logistics.org.uk/research-hub/policies/2024-london-manifesto

Further Information

 Logistics UK is one of the UK's leading 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, Brexit, 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, sea 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 [2]