Public Affairs monitoring for week ending 12 June 2026

Help us secure MP visits to your logistics sites – submit up to 10 locations using this form. We will always seek your approval before arranging a visit.

Defence Secretary resigns over Defence Investment Plan funding dispute

John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary on 11 June, warning that the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan fails to provide the resources needed to address rising security threats, citing both the Prime Minister’s leadership and Treasury reluctance to commit funding. Dan Jarvis has since been appointed as Defence Secretary.

Alongside John Healey, there were further resignations, including Armed Forces Minister Alistair Carns and Parliamentary Private Secretaries Rachel Hopkins and Pamela Nash.

In response to media reports on 8 June suggesting that transport capital spending could be cut to increase the UK defence budget, Logistics UK warned that such an approach would overlook the critical role of infrastructure in national security. We stressed that sustained investment in both defence and transport is essential, with resilient transport networks underpinning economic strength and enabling effective defence capability in times of conflict. Find the link to our post responding to the reports here.

The Scottish Parliament appoints Committee Conveners

This week saw the confirmation of key Scottish Parliament committee conveners. Notably, Willie Rennie MSP (Liberal Democrat, Fife North East) has been appointed convener of the Transport Committee and Duncan Massie MSP (Reform UK, North East Scotland) has been appointed convener of the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee. Significantly, transport is now a standalone committee with a dedicated convener, rather than being combined with other policy areas.

Clare Haughey (SNP, Rutherglen and Cambuslang) will convene the Finance and Public Administration Committee, which will scrutinise public spending impacting infrastructure investment and workforce policy.

Stuart McMillan (SNP, Inverclyde) is the convener of the Climate Action Committee and Karen Adam (SNP, Banffshire and Buchan Coast) is the convener of the Education and Gaelic Committee.

Logistics UK will send letters to these MSPs to request a meeting and highlight areas they may wish to explore related to our sector.

Middle East update: US President calls off strikes claiming a deal had been agreed, Iran rejects the claims

US President Donald Trump cancelled planned strikes on Iran shortly before they were due to take place on 11 June, stating that a deal had been agreed, although no further confirmation has been provided. However, Iranian officials responded that no final agreement had been reached.

The developments came after two consecutive nights of reciprocal US-Iran strikes, including a US attack on a tanker off Oman that killed three Indian nationals as part of wider actions linked to Iran.

Logistics UK will now update its Middle East stakeholder briefing on a monthly basis with the next update due for the monitoring on Friday 26 June.

Also this week

Government

The government launched a consultation on 2 June regarding ‘Ending one-sided flexibility: reforms of zero hours and similar contracts’. It includes ideas for reform on the right to guaranteed hours, right to reasonable notice, and the right to short notice payments. Logistics UK will be creating a submission in collaboration with RHA, UKWA, and our members. The consultation closes on 25 August at 11:59pm.
The government announced new reporting rules on 9 June which require councils to demonstrate publicly how well they repair their roads and reduce repeat issues. The first set of transparency reports are due to be published this September.
The government published a policy paper on 9 June setting out key timelines following the creation of Great British Railways. This includes the Rolling Stock and Infrastructure Strategy (set to be published this summer) and draft GBR licence consultation (due for publication this autumn). The Transport Secretary will also publish a long-term rail strategy in the autumn of 2027.
The government launched a consultation on 5 June regarding new regulations that would improve rest periods, pay and rights for seafarers working on frequent crossings between the UK and France and the Channel Islands. The consultation closes on 17 July.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy opened Britain’s first electrified testing loop on 5 June at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire. The 3.5km loop, funded by £75 million of investment, will support the testing of the next generation of trains.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled an AI-powered job tool as part of a three-month online trial. The digital work assistant provides 24/7 personalised career advice, helps jobseekers build CVs, and matches individuals with suitable job openings to get them back into work, the Guardian reported on 8 June.

Parliament

The Transport Committee met on 10 June for an evidence session on integrated journeys with broad support expressed for the Better Connected Strategy’s aims but concerns raised over its lack of clarity and detail. Witnesses emphasised the need for a stronger focus on freight, economic growth, affordability, accessibility and cross-modal integration, alongside support for rural connectivity. Regional leadership, greater fiscal devolution, and realistic funding for fare reductions were all highlighted as critical to successful delivery.
Manuela Perteghella (Lib Dem, Stratford-on-Avon) secured a debate on road safety in the West Midlands on 9 June. MPs raised concerns about roads not designed for increasingly large and heavy vehicles, mixed road use in rural areas involving HGVs and farm traffic, and broader safety risks linked to freight movement. Transport Minister Keir Mather highlighted plans to address work-related road risk, including a potential national safety charter for occupational drivers.
The Railways Bill finished in the House of Commons on 10 June with no new amendments adopted that directly impact rail freight or logistics operations. Logistics UK will continue working on the Bill’s passage during the House of Lords to ensure rail freight is protected.

Devolved, regional and local

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority said a mayoral election will take place on 30 July if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin told the Scottish Parliament on 9 June that the pace of change to reach net zero targets must increase. Martin promised delivery of key measures including a Heat in Buildings Delivery Plan, a route map for negative emissions technologies, continued investment in heat pumps, electric vehicle infrastructure, carbon capture and storage, and peatland and woodland restoration.
The Welsh Government set out plans on 9 June to progress improvements to both the Menai Strait crossings and the M4. Alongside this, a focused programme will examine practical options to improve conditions on the M4, including enhancing traffic flow, accelerating public transport delivery and strengthening integration, with an update on next steps expected in the autumn.

Coming up

Logistics UK members are invited to a tour of PD Ports Groveport (Scunthorpe) on Tuesday 23 June, taking place from 10:00 to 15:00. The event offers first-hand insight into operations at one of the UK’s key logistics and distribution hubs. During the visit, attendees will: hear about Groveport’s role in supporting supply chains; tour the site and observe operations in action; explore current developments, challenges, and future opportunities in the ports and logistics sector; and network with fellow Logistics UK members and industry professionals.
On Monday 15 June the Environmental Audit Committee is having a non-inquiry session on the Seventh Carbon Budget with the Katie White MP, Minister for Climate at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ryan McLaughlin Director of Net Zero Strategy (DESNZ).
On Tuesday 16 June the remaining stages of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill are taking place before moving to the House of Lords.
On Tuesday 16 June the Civil Aviation (Consumer and Regulatory Reform) Bill will have its first Committee Stage day in the House of Lords.
On Tuesday 16 June the European Affairs Committee is holding a session on Dynamic Alignment with panellists from the energy sector.
Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK CEO has a meeting on Tuesday 16 June with Richard Holden MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
- Ben Fletcher also has a meeting on 16 June with Ann Davies MP, Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Transport.
Mike Reader MP is leading an SME logistics delegation to Number 10 to meet with the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Business Relations on 17 June to discuss challenges around UK-EU trade. Logistics UK Head of Public Affairs, Natalie Chapman will be attending.
On Wednesday 17 June the Scottish Affairs Committee is holding a session on Connectivity in Scotland: Fixed links
On Wednesday 17 June Transport Committee is holding a session on the work of the Secretary of State for Transport.
On Thursday 18 June Bambos Charalambous (Labour, Southgate and Wood Green) secured a debate on safeguarding human rights in supply chains.
On Thursday 18 June the Civil Aviation (Consumer and Regulatory Reform) Bill will have its second Committee Stage day in the House of Lords.