Public Affairs monitoring for week ending 25 September 2026

Prime Minister aims to conclude UK-EU reset negotiations by end of year

Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to conclude negotiations on the UK-EU reset summit by the end of the year following a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 22 September. The summit is expected to include agreement to reduce barriers to food and drink trade, via a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. In July, the government published guidance to help businesses prepare for an SPS agreement – with advice for logistics, hauliers and trade intermediaries as part of this.

The Prime Minister also raised concerns that the EU’s proposed “Made in Europe” rules could disadvantage British businesses and said the government is seeking an agreement that strengthens UK-EU trade and supports economic growth. Finally, he did not rule out committing to reverse Brexit in Labour’s next general election manifesto, but noted the immediate priority is building ties with European allies.

Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 published

Logistics UK has published a new Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 booklet, providing an overview of the scale, reach and economic importance of the UK logistics sector.

The booklet provides the latest headline statistics on the sector’s contribution to economic output and employment, alongside the volume and value of goods moved and traded by different freight modes across the UK network. It provides an accessible source of evidence to support engagement with government, parliamentarians and other stakeholders on the logistics sector’s role in underpinning the wider economy.

Also this week

Government

• The government announced plans on 23 September to introduce new Vocational GCSEs alongside academic subjects, replacing existing Technical Awards and strengthening routes into further study and employment. The government also launched a National Mission on Work Experience, calling on employers to provide an additional 200,000 placements for 14 to 16-year-olds. The first Vocational GCSEs could be available from September 2029.
• The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is inviting businesses to participate in the next wave of its Digital Trade Corridors programme, supporting firms to trial digital trading processes and reduce reliance on paper and PDF-based documentation. Businesses trading with France, Germany or the Netherlands can express their interest by 4 October.
• Logistics UK submitted its response to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s call for evidence on Digital Product Records, which is examining how a Great Britain framework should operate and align with the European Union’s Digital Product Passport regime applying in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. The response highlighted implications for trade, decarbonisation, waste management and regulatory alignment.

Parliament

• The Freight and Logistics All-Party Parliamentary Group launched a call for evidence on driver health and welfare, examining physical and mental health challenges, access to healthcare and the impact of working conditions, including working hours, roadside facilities, rest and access to healthy food. Logistics UK will respond, and members wishing to contribute should contact Maddi Solloway-Price by 1 October.
• Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said on 20 September, at the start of his party conference, that there should be an immediate 10p per litre cut in fuel duty until Christmas and that the planned fuel duty increase in January should be cancelled. In his party conference speech on 22 September he said the UK should rejoin the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Logistics UK Interim Policy and Communications Director Ben Garratt attended the party conference and met with Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP, among other senior figures, and highlighted the need to address rising fuel costs, high business rates, and infrastructure constraints.

Devolved, regional and local

• Logistics UK CEO Ben Fletcher and Scotland and Multimodal Policy Lead Alexandra Herdman held introductory meetings on 22 and 23 September with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn MSP, and Scottish Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, Tourism and Transport Daniel Johnson MSP. They highlighted the vital role of logistics in the Scottish economy as an engine of growth. We will now take forward discussions on Logistics UK’s proposal for a Scottish Logistics Council.

Coming up

• Both Houses of Parliament will return following the conference recess on Monday 12 October.
• We are holding the following events at the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, both of which are taking place within the conference secure zones. If you have conference accreditation, please do join us:
• On Monday 28 September Logistics UK will launch its interactive A Day in UK Logistics game at Labour Party Conference, giving MPs the opportunity to experience the challenges of managing supply chains and logistics operations, with a live leaderboard tracking top scores throughout the conference. Public Affairs Manager Dominic Aeissame will be holding down the fort, do message him on 07818 450262 if you plan on saying hello, and play the game at the Logistics UK Stand, Labour Tech Zone, M&S Bank Arena.
• Labour Party Conference: Real Growth for Working People: How Do We Deliver for Every Place and Household? Monday 28 September, 3.00-4.00pm, in partnership with SEGRO and Arden Strategies. Featuring Minister for Reindustrialisation Blair McDougall MP. Arden Strategies Lounge, next to the Pullman Hotel. Register to attend here.
• Conservative Party Conference: Unlocking Growth: How Do We Turbocharge the UK’s Competitiveness? Monday 5 October, currently 4.00-5.00pm, in partnership with SEGRO and Arden Strategies. Featuring Thomas Turrell AM, Conservative Transport Lead on the London Assembly. More in Common Lounge, within the Conference Secure Zone.
• In addition, on the mornings of Monday 28 September and Monday 5 October, we are holding invitation-only roundtables at the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, in partnership with Airports UK, the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, DP World, Getlink, Heathrow, the Port of Dover, Prologis, Rail Freight Group, SEGRO, UK Chamber of Shipping and UK Major Ports Group.