Minister Keir Mather now has logistics in his portfolioUK industry body Logistics UK has welcomed the announcement that the country will now have a Minister for Logistics, saying it recognises the value and importance of the nation’s logistics sector.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has changed the title of Department of Transport Minister Keir Mather to Minister for Maritime, Aviation and Logistics, following campaigns by industry bodies such as Logistics UK and the Road Haulage Association.
Ben Fletcher, chief executive of Logistics UK says: “For some time, we have been urging government to appoint a specialist logistics minister and recognise the value that our industry contributes to the smooth operation of UK PLC”.
“Minister Mather has always been a great champion of our industry’s work, and we welcome his appointment to oversee engagement with our vital industry,” Fletcher adds.
“The expansion of Mr Mather’s role now demonstrates the critical role that logistics can play in the rejuvenation of the UK’s economy and shows that the government is listening to us.
“Nothing moves in the economy without the input of logistics businesses. Our industry is key to the provision of every item that the UK needs to grow and flourish, and we look forward to working closely with Minister Mather and his team to help power the government’s plans for growth in the coming months.”
Fletcher says logistics represents a success story, contributing GBP175 billion (USD235 billion) in GVA [gross value added] to the UK economy annually, and employs some 8% of the nation’s workforce.
He adds that there continues to be scope to “do more”, with independent research by Oxford Economics (2023) finding that the sector has the potential to boost UK economic growth by a further GBP8 billion (USD10 billion) a year.