Public Affairs monitoring for week ending 24 April 2026

Strait of Hormuz shipping remains highly disrupted; Logistics UK calls for package of support

Iran continues to disrupt commercial shipping on the Strait of Hormuz, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blaming the closure on the US’s blockade of Iranian vessels and ports. In response, US President Donald Trump said on 23 April that the US has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and that the shipping lane will open up when Iran makes a deal, but he is in no rush to end the conflict.

Following Logistics UK’s letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week calling for a package of support for the sector, we issued a press release reiterating our asks on 20 April.

Logistics UK has a three-point strategy during this crisis: sharing insight with members; informing government and other key stakeholders of the impact on our sector; and urging government to provide support to our sector. As part of this, we are collecting member feedback via the Logistics Performance Tracker survey. Please complete our short survey on SurveyMonkey here or via Microsoft Forms here as soon as possible.

Logistics UK is hosting a webinar on 28 April to provide the latest insight and practical guidance to help logistics businesses understand and manage rising fuel costs in the context of the conflict. Register here.

Read our latest Middle East update here which includes data on fuel prices.

Energy Secretary announces additional net zero policies in response to Middle East conflict

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband delivered a speech on 21 April in which he argued that the UK is facing its second fossil‑fuel shock in under five years, which confirms that fossil fuels are a structural source of economic and national insecurity. In response, he argued that the UK should double down on net zero policies.

Subsequently, he announced the government’s intention to:

• Provide additional funding for the electrification of homes, transport and industry.
• Deliver reforms to remove “irrational bureaucratic obstacles” to grid build-out.
• Accelerate clean power deployment.
• Delink electricity prices from gas, while giving gas development permissions alongside already-explored areas near existing licensed energy fields.
• Increase and extend the Electricity Generator Levy (EGL).

Also this week

Government

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under significant pressure since dismissing Foreign Office permanent secretary Sir Olly Robbins following revelations Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the US proceeded despite negative security vetting advice; Robbins told MPs that there was sustained pressure from No 10 to complete the appointment quickly, while Starmer maintains he was not informed of the vetting outcome, prompting parliamentary scrutiny and calls for further inquiry into the process.
• Following publication of the third Roads Investment Strategy (RIS3) on 26 March, National Highways confirmed the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project (NTP) scheme has been committed to by the government and is due to start main construction by the end of 2026, with advanced works to begin in May.
• HMRC will challenge a ruling that proposes cutting VAT across all public electric car chargers. Last month, a tax tribunal ruled VAT should be charged at 5% instead of the usual 20%, the same VAT paid by those using electricity for home charging, The Guardian reports.
• Logistics UK submitted its response to a Skills England survey of Skills Passports that closed on 17 April, supporting the policy as a way to improve recruitment efficiency, workforce mobility, and strengthen domestic skills pipelines in the logistics sector.
• Logistics UK submitted its response to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s consultation on the future of the downstream oil sector on 20 April. We called for support for domestic Low Carbon Fuel production.
• The government published its response on 23 April to the consultation on Automated Passenger Services (APS). The response confirms the framework for early pilot deployments of self‑driving passenger services from 2026.

Parliament

• Business Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra made a statement on the expansion of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) to 3,000 more manufacturers. In response, Peers criticised the scheme for being too narrow, too slow and overly complex. The Conservatives also argued that restrictions on North Sea oil and gas production were undermining energy security, while Liberal Democrats pressed for faster support, market reform, financing for energy efficiency, and reforming business rates. In our recent letter to the Chancellor, Logistics UK called for the logistics industry to be included in the BICS scheme in light of the Middle East crisis.
• The Transport Committee questioned National Highways leaders on 22 April about performance and future plans, raising concerns about the delayed appointment of a permanent CEO, missed RIS2 customer satisfaction targets and challenges in meeting environmental goals. National Highways said RIS3 funding (£27bn) is sufficient despite pressures from rising demand and ageing assets.
• Vikki Slade MP (Lib Dem, Mid Dorset and Poole) led a debate on 23 April on reform of the DVLA, highlighting cross‑party concern that it is not fit for purpose, particularly in its handling of driving licences that are issued, restricted, or reviewed because of a person’s medical condition. MPs criticised outdated, paper‑based systems and poor communication. Transport Minister Simon Lightwood acknowledged performance was unacceptable, noting that digitisation and additional staff have reduced average decision times, and that further digital and road safety reforms are planned.
• A debate for approving regulations to change the minimum age for becoming a fully licensed train driver in Great Britain from 20 to 18 was held on 20 April – with the regulations approved, and to be introduced from 30 June.
• Several written parliamentary questions relevant to logistics received answers this week:
  • James McMurdock (Independent, South Basildon and East Thurrock) asked for the government to consider the merits of an Essential User Rebate for fuel to support sectors reliant on road transport. Exchequer Secretary Dan Tomlinson responded on 20 April that the government is acting on fuel affordability by maintaining the 5p per litre cut until September, and will keep the fuel duty under review.
  • Ruth Jones (Labour, Newport West and Islwyn), Rachel Taylor (Labour, North Warwickshire and Bedworth), and Caroline Voaden (Lib Dem, South Devon) asked how the DfT is supporting the freight sector with increased fuel costs. Transport Minister Keir Mather responded on 21 and 22 April by recognising the growing concerns caused by the Middle East conflict and said that he is working with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.
  • Joe Morris (Labour, Hexham) asked about the impact of the availability of quality roadside facilities on recruitment and retention of HGV drivers. Transport Minister Keir Mather said on 23 April that poor availability and quality of roadside facilities discourage HGV driver recruitment and retention, and that a further national survey is underway to update evidence, due to be published in autumn 2026.
  • Sir Alec Shelbrooke (Conservative, Wetherby and Easingwold) called for an assessment on the impact of heavier vehicles on road surface maintenance. Transport Minister Simon Lightfoot responded on 20 April that the government is considering the impact of more zero emission HGVs on UK roads. The Code of Practice for Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure is under review and will be published by the end of the year.
  • Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) asked what share of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) costs in the maritime sector will be passed on to consumers. Energy and Net Zero Minister Chris McDonald said on 23 April the cost impacts will be modest, with no significant effect on consumer prices overall.
  • Chris Bloore (Labour, Redditch) raised the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on congestion. Transport Minister Simon Lightwood responded on 20 April that such impacts will be considered locally through the new Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme. The issue was also explored in a recent government consultation.
• Melanie Onn (Labour, Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) introduced a Bill on 21 April to set a maximum permitted level of in‑vehicle noise from road surfaces.
• The APPG on Maritime and Ports held a roundtable on “Strengthening UK Maritime Trade and Port Resilience in a Time of Global Insecurity” on 20 April. The session examined the resilience, security and strategic importance of the UK’s maritime ports sector in light of the Middle East conflict. Issues raised included the rising cost of fuel, seafarers’ rights, port connectivity, and strengthening investment. Logistics UK Public Affairs Manager Dominic Aeissame attended the session.
• The APPG on Freight and Logistics held a meeting on the provision of driver facilities for HGV drivers on 21 April. Transport Focus presented its Lorry Parking Survey results and highlighted the need to increase safe and secure parking. Discussion centred on the importance of planning to enable new and improved driver facilities, as well as the impacts of the Middle East crisis. Logistics UK, Head of Road Freight and English Regions Policy, Maddi Solloway-Price attended the session.

Local, regional & devolved

• Logistics UK submitted its response to the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure’s speed limits review consultation on 22 April, calling for 20mph speed limits when there is a clear safety case and for aligning HGV speed limits with those elsewhere in the UK.
• YouGov polling on 22 April predicted the Greens and Reform UK are set to make major gains in the upcoming local elections in London. Labour is predicted to make big losses, whilst the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are expected to hold most of what they have.
• YouGov polling on 22 April predicted a close race between Reform UK and Plaid Cymru, with 37 and 36 seats respectively in the Senedd elections.  Labour’s vote share is projected to fall to 13%, ending a century of dominance in Welsh politics. The Greens are also forecast to win seven seats having never previously won any.

Other

• The CAA approved draft plans on 20 April for Heathrow Airport to raise airline fees to recoup costs of its third runway, subject to statutory consultation. Following consideration of the consultation’s responses, the regulator will publish its final decision in the summer.
• The Conservatives pledged, on 23 April, to end blanket 20mph schemes in a six-point “Plan for Drivers”. Other measures include maintaining the 5p per litre fuel duty cut, scrapping the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, clearing the driving test backlog, and launching a new national potholes taskforce, the Independent reports.

Coming up

• The Public Accounts Committee is holding an oral evidence session with civil servants in DfT, MHCLG, and HM Treasury to discuss Northern Powerhouse Rail on Monday 27 April.
• Logistics UK CEO Ben Fletcher is attending a Trade Association Forum Parliamentary Lunch on Tuesday 28 April hosted by Rachel Taylor MP (Labour, North Warwickshire and Bedworth). The lunch will discuss the importance of strong collaboration between Parliament and industry.
• Lord Mountevans (Crossbench) is asking an oral question on establishing a government department dedicated solely to the maritime sector on Thursday 30 April.