Gov Hears The Voice Of Logistics “Loud & Clear”, Says Minister

The work of the logistics industry, and the support provided by Logistics UK, has been recognised by Minister of Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Keir Mather MP in his keynote address opening this year's Logistics UK Annual Conference. Speaking at London's QE2 Conference Centre, Mather commented that despite ongoing economic uncertainty, "logistics keeps delivering for the UK", and that the industry's workers are "the unsung heroes that will keep Britain moving." He and his colleagues in government are well aware of the role that the industry plays in helping to drive growth across the economy and hears the voice of Logistics UK "loud and clear." "The logistics industry remains the cornerstone of our island nation which keeps goods moving and businesses trading," he said, "and the work of Logistics UK is indispensable to the economy, ensuring that we make decisions in government with our eyes wide open and helping us to focus on the issues that matter the most, whether that be resilience, growth or investment."

The Minister was speaking as one of three keynote presenters to open the business group's annual event, which brings together the leaders of businesses from all modes across the industry. Opening a packed programme of expert speakers, Mather was joined by Andrew Griffith MP,  Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Chris McDonald MP, Minister for Industry at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, who paid tribute to the hard work and resilience of those working in the sector: "When supply chains work, they don't make the news, and the government recognises the importance of the sector and the efforts it makes to ensure that the economy works.

"Global instability, including the events in the Middle East, has created huge challenges, but I am really struck by the fact that despite that uncertainty, time and again, logistics continues to deliver for people across the United Kingdom." More than 400 of Logistics UK's executive members registered for today's event, which provides the opportunity for networking, information sharing and debate among leaders of the sector. Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK's Chief Executive, was grateful for the support of politicians and highlighted the impact that this will have on the industry:

"Logistics is the engine room of the UK economy, underpinning all other sectors and keeping goods flowing, amid challenging economic conditions. "The sector doesn't operate in isolation and drives growth across the economy by linking business regions and markets. "Continued partnership between industry and government is key to delivering this growth and having three leading political voices at our Annual Conference is testament to the recognition logistics is receiving.

We look forward to continuing to engage with government to elevate the perceptions of logistics across all parties." 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

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