Public Affairs monitoring for week ending 17 July 2026

Andy Burnham set to enter No.10 as government prepares for summer transition

Andy Burnham became Labour leader on 17 July and will become Prime Minister on 20 July, triggering a government reshuffle. Key milestones following that will be the formation of the new Cabinet, expected on 20 July and 21 July; work to develop a fresh policy agenda over the summer recess; the new Prime Minister and government’s first engagement with Parliament when it returns on 1 September; and, the Prime Minister’s speech at Labour Party Conference (27–30 September). For the logistics sector, key themes are expected to include business taxation, devolution, industrial strategy, infrastructure delivery and managing public spending pressures, given increases in defence spending.

In related news, as Keir Starmer prepares to leave office, the government has announced a new list of political peerages. Appointments include London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea and former Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald among other Liberal Democrat and Conservative nominees. It is understood that Khan will continue as Mayor of London once he joins the House of Lords. Also, in her likely final speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves spoke at Mansion House on 14 July to set out plans for economic growth, financial services reform, and closer UK-EU cooperation.

Government publishes new regulations on trade union access to workplaces, plus consultations on pay and monitoring technologies 

The government published on 10 July regulations and a Code of Practice on trade union access to workplaces, ahead of implementation in October 2026. The framework creates a statutory route for trade unions to secure physical and digital access to workplaces with 21 or more workers, including where agreement cannot be reached voluntarily and the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) determines access terms. The Code identifies weekly access as a model term that the CAC should generally regard as not unreasonably interfering with business operations. Business groups are concerned about the potential operational and resource implications for employers.

The government launched consultations on 14 July on reforms to the UK’s equal pay framework and the use of workplace monitoring technologies. Proposals on equal pay include new pay transparency requirements, stronger enforcement powers, equal pay audits and extending protections relating to ethnicity and disability, while the workplace monitoring consultation seeks views on balancing productivity benefits with employee privacy and the potential role of trade unions in oversight.

Call for evidence on Smart Data proposes freight and logistics data sharing schemes

The government launched a cross-sector call for evidence on Smart Data on 8 July, seeking views on how secure, permission-based data sharing can support innovation, competition and improve services across the economy. The call covers transport, trade, retail, agrifood and property. Under powers contained within the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, ministers can establish and mandate engagement with sector-specific Smart Data schemes.

The call for evidence includes proposals for schemes relating to freight and logistics, including to enable standardised carbon reporting, improved visibility of freight movements and network capacity, urban logistics coordination and freight energy planning. Amongst other areas, it also explores opportunities relating to border logistics optimisation, customs and regulatory documentation, trade system interoperability, and supply-chain traceability. Logistics UK will respond before the deadline of 1 October.

Electricity Infrastructure Transport Group launched to support transport decarbonisation

The inaugural meeting of the Electricity Infrastructure Transport Group (EIT Group) on 8 July brought together representatives from government, the energy sector and transport industries to strengthen collaboration on the energy infrastructure needed to support transport decarbonisation. The group was established following advocacy from Logistics UK and others across the sector, recognising the need to align the logistics sector’s decarbonisation trajectory across transport modes with the UK’s strategic energy planning.

The first meeting was addressed by Transport Minister Keir Mather, Minister for Industry Chris McDonald and Minister for Climate Katie White, alongside Logistics UK Interim Policy and Communications Director Ben Garratt and other representatives from the wider transport and energy sectors. Key topics included modelling the significant energy requirements of a decarbonised logistics sector and the development of new strategic energy plans by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), including the first full Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs), due in 2028. These plans are expected to provide a clearer picture of future electricity demand and infrastructure requirements at both regional and national level.

Also this week

Government

• The Department for Transport published its response on 16 July to the consultation on mandating vehicle safety technologies, confirming it will proceed with requiring 18 safety technologies on mass-produced vehicles, aligning GB requirements more closely with those in Northern Ireland and the EU.
• The UK and Switzerland concluded negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 13 July covering services, digital trade, investment and business mobility. It includes commitments to support cross-border data flows, paperless trade and digital commerce, as well as provisions designed to make it easier for UK businesses and professionals to operate in Switzerland, including allowing work in the country for 90 days per year without a permit.
• The Ministry of Justice launched a consultation on 16 July regarding proposals to streamline judicial review processes for major infrastructure projects consented outside the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime. The proposals seek to reduce delays caused by unmeritorious legal challenges and accelerating the delivery of strategic infrastructure. The consultation closes on 27 August and we will be responding.
• The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Business Advisory Council, which Logistics UK attended, has confirmed that preparations for a future UK-EU SPS Agreement will continue despite the postponement of the UK-EU Summit and that businesses could begin benefiting from an agreement from mid-2027. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also confirmed plans to begin market engagement on infrastructure readiness at GB ports for third-country imports.
• The Department for Business and Trade is seeking business participation in the Digital Trade Corridors programme’s next phase, which aims to reduce friction in international trade by helping businesses to switch to digital documentation. Previous participants have achieved reductions of up to 90% in paper documentation and 50% in administration time per shipment. Workshops for interested businesses will take place later this month.
• The Department for Transport published its Contract Allocation Strategy on 13 July for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Revenue Certainty Mechanism. The mechanism is designed to provide long-term revenue certainty for investors and producers, helping to accelerate the deployment of first-of-a-kind SAF production plants, support aviation decarbonisation and strengthen UK energy security.
• The government published its response to the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) consultation on 13 July, confirming that the mileage-based charge for electric cars will be introduced from April 2028. The government amended the scheme by removing the requirement for additional mileage checks on vehicles under three years old. It also plans to develop an optional system using a vehicle’s built-in connectivity to submit mileage data. The eVED is not currently planned to extend beyond electric and plug-in hybrid cars.
• The Department for Transport has launched a £30 million Integrated Transport Digital Twin Fund on 9 July for local transport authorities and combined authorities in England to develop and test digital twin technology. The programme will support the development of live digital model transport networks to improve planning, integration, and operational decision-making.

Parliament

• During Transport Questions on 16 July, MPs raised concerns about disruption from the EU Entry-Exit System (EES), including its potential cost to freight and logistics operators. Transport Minister Keir Mather said government are trying to minimise disruption and noted that £3.5 million had been provided to Dover, Eurotunnel, and St Pancras to support implementation. Ministers also highlighted work on a forthcoming Maritime Growth Strategy; fuel security planning; consideration of the wider EV supply chain as part of ZEV mandate policy; and confirmed an updated Jet Zero Strategy would be published in early 2027.
• The Taxation (Energy and Vehicles) Bill completed its remaining stages on 14 July. During the debate, ministers said the legislation would support businesses facing higher costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East through a temporary HGV Vehicle Excise Duty holiday, an increase in mileage allowance rates and a higher electricity generator levy. Peers from across the House welcomed the support but questioned whether it would last long enough or go far enough, citing pressures on SMEs including taxation and high energy costs.
• During the Report Stage of the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill on 13 July, Peers raised concerns that the UK’s aviation regulatory framework must continue to support competitiveness and economic growth alongside consumer protection objectives. Lord Harper highlighted the importance of aviation to UK trade and high-value freight movements, warning that the sector’s wider economic role should not be overlooked as new powers are transferred to the Civil Aviation Authority.
• During the Second Reading of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill on 14 July, Ministers highlighted the increasing cyber risk posed through supply chains and proposed new powers to designate organisations as “critical suppliers”. The Bill signals greater scrutiny of cyber resilience across transport and its supply chains, alongside enhanced incident reporting, and regulatory enforcement powers.

Devolved, regional and local

• The Mayor of London launched a consultation on the draft London Plan on 16 July, which will guide the capital’s development to 2050. The plan covers areas including housing, employment, transport, infrastructure, and the environment, and will be subject to public consultation until 15 October 2026 before examination in 2027 and planned adoption in early 2028. For businesses, the plan will help shape future decisions on industrial land, logistics infrastructure, freight movement, and wider economic development across London. Logistics UK will be responding to this consultation.
• The Welsh Government suffered its first significant parliamentary defeat on 14 July after its £300 million supplementary budget was voted down. Labour withdrew support following a dispute over school funding and teachers’ pay, while the Conservatives and Reform UK also opposed the plans.
• Ken Skates has been confirmed as permanent leader of Welsh Labour on 15 July after receiving the unanimous backing of the party’s nine Senedd Members. Skates, who has served as interim leader since May’s Senedd election, takes charge as Labour seeks to rebuild following its loss of power to Plaid Cymru after 27 years in government.

Coming up

• Only a few hours are left to enter the Logistics UK’s Logistics Awards 2026. With categories for all transport modes and ranging from innovation, decarbonisation, diversity, and leadership, you are encouraged to submit free entries. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 10 December 2026 at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London. Please enter here.
• The House of Commons has risen for Summer Recess and will return on Tuesday 1 September; the House of Lords rises on 23 July.
• On Monday 20 July, the Civil Aviation (Consumer and Regulatory Reform) Bill is having its Third Reading in the House of Lords.
• On Friday 24 July, John Cooper, Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, is visiting the A75 with Logistics UK’s Policy Lead for Scotland and Multimodal, Alexandra Herdman.