The UK logistics sector “lies at the heart of government’s plan for change” and is an “unstoppable force for economic growth”, according Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, during her keynote address at Logistics UK’s inaugural annual conference, at the QEII Conference Centre in London today (4 June).
The conference, attended by over 250 senior delegates from the UK’s logistics sector, also saw the business group launch The Logistics Report 2025, its annual review of the sector which shows logistics generates £170bn for the UK economy, employs over 8% of the nation’s workforce and is a key enabler in the government achieving its growth agenda.
In her speech, Greenwood recognised that the “industry wants more clarity from government” and stressed that logistics is central to the government’s growth strategy, adding that the government is “ready to work with the sector every step of the way”.
Phil Roe, Logistics UK president, opened the conference outlining the critical contribution the logistics sector makes to the UK economy:
He said: “Logistics is not a background operation, it is a driver of growth and a barometer of economic efficiency. When logistics thrives, the economy thrives.
“The Minister’s address at our conference today shows the government is keen to work with the sector but there still needs to be a step change in how logistics is understood, supported and prioritised in national policy making.
“Key to this is recognition of logistics as a foundational sector in the Industrial Strategy, underpinning, as it does, all industry.”
Recognising the challenges the sector is facing especially in the areas of decarbonisation and skills, Greenwood said the government will continue to champion the Generation Logistics awareness campaign and said that the government wants to work with the sector with a spirit of collaboration.
Finishing her keynote she thanked the industry for “keeping the wheels turning, driving economic growth and improving lives,” and reassured delegates on behalf of the government that “we are listening”.
The Logistics Report 2025 provides a comprehensive benchmark for the industry, reflecting on the past year and identifying future trends and sentiment within the sector.
It combines the latest official statistics, insight from industry experts and the findings of Logistics UK’s Industry
It included a survey which canvassed over 500 of its members to gauge industry sentiment .
The report can be accessed here.
