Truck and Track Autumn 2024 www.truckandtrack.com 34 PALLET NETWORKS Paul Sanders, Chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk The Association of Pallet Networks (APN) is calling on the new Labour government to recognise the logistics industry as the fulcrum of economic growth in the UK. “We would like to congratulate our new Prime Minister, and the new influx of MPs to parliament,” says APN chairman Paul Sanders. “There is much to be accomplished in terms of rehabilitating the UK economy – and logistics occupies the central and common position which underpins almost all sectors. We believe that if the government recognises the vital role of moving goods throughout the UK and beyond our borders, and directs policy to support logistics and the infrastructure on which it depends, our manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, retail and many other sectors will reap benefits.” The UK logistics sector employs almost three million people, involves more than 200,000 businesses, and generates £185bn in gross added value for the UK economy. It is essential to the operation of any sector which requires physical goods, components or ingredients, with 216 billion tonne-kilometres of domestic freight moved in 2022, 81% of it by road. (Transport Statistics Great Britain: 2022 Freight) The APN calls for: ■ A Minister for Logistics in recognition of the sector’s vital role, and as the beginning of a new collaborative approach between government and the logistics industry. ■ The sector should also be represented in the Industrial Strategy Council, which comprises individuals from the arts, business, academia, finance and entrepreneurs, but has few members actually drawn from industry. ■ Long-term investment in infrastructure which will increase transport capacity and keep Britain moving - A joint government-logistics roadmap for decarbonisation and sustainability, making Britain a clean energy superpower - Skills policies that break down barriers to opportunity and the barriers to flexible funded learning and which enable the logistics sector to attract and nurture talent from entry-level to leadership positions. ■ A partnership between government and logistics to get Britain trading again, to resolve the lingering issues affecting imports and exports, and to reconnect our country with the world. ■ Radical planning reform to get Britain building again, and to ensure that we can meet the housing and industrial needs of the present and the future. “The logistics industry has a wealth of expertise, understanding and data which clearly demonstrate our trading flows, our consumer and business trends, and the areas which require greater connectivity,” says Sanders. “The sector is a barometer for the health of many other sectors, and reflects their needs and challenges. This means the logistics sector can offer unparalleled guidance and insight to the government, for the benefit of the entire economy. “We also need to ensure that our sector and the infrastructure it uses is fit for purpose, sustainable and can continue to support the growth of UK production, and the delivery of goods and services.” The APN has signed a joint letter from logistics trade associations to the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. www.theapn.co.uk APN tells PM: Logistics is the key to economic growth
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