Guidance & Support

The UK’s trading ties with the EU have taken a deeper hit post-Brexit than those of its European counterparts, according to Logistics UK. New analysis shows UK exports to the EU have dropped by 23% since 2017, while imports have only fallen 5%. Logistics UK President Phil Roe presented the figures at Multimodal 2025, calling for urgent progress on border reforms agreed during the recent UK-EU summit.

Roe pointed to several global pressures - such as the pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Red Sea - but stressed that Brexit has uniquely harmed UK exporters. Containerised shipments have followed a similar pattern, with EU-bound exports down 21% and imports from the EU again more stable. Roe highlighted that the UK still heavily depends on EU trade, but exporters face mounting obstacles.

He blamed the disparity on post-Brexit controls, particularly Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks, which have introduced new costs, delays and administrative burdens for UK businesses - especially those trading in perishable goods. Products like meat, fish, dairy and fresh produce have seen double-digit export drops since 2017.

To recover lost ground, Roe urged swift implementation of a UK-EU SPS agreement, arguing that dynamic alignment could eliminate many barriers and reignite trade in agri-food products, provided businesses are involved in shaping the new rules.

Parcel carrier DPD has earmarked £330 million for a fresh wave of expansion, commissioning seven 60,000 sq ft distribution hubs that will nudge the company towards its fiftieth purpose-built depot and bolster a nationwide web of more than eighty regional sorting centres. The multi-year programme reflects soaring e-commerce volumes and heightened customer demand for rapid, predictable deliveries.

Each site will be fitted with automated sorters capable of handling up to 80,000 parcels a day and room for upwards of 100 additional delivery routes. Ground will be broken first in Crawley and Darlington, followed by Cambridge, Bradford, Guildford, Milton Keynes and Sittingbourne, with all seven facilities scheduled to open their doors by early 2027. The depots will operate round the clock and include on-site charging for electric vans.

“This round of investment accelerates the modernisation of our network,” said Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability at DPDgroup UK. “As 38 per cent of our van fleet is already electric, these depots will be served by ever-cleaner vehicles, shrinking our carbon footprint and edging us closer to net-zero.”

The logistics specialist hopes the upgrade will enhance service resilience while underpinning its sustainability goals. Sector watchers will have a chance to hear more at Logistics Manager’s Sustainable Supply Chain Conference in London next June, where representatives from Defra, the NHS and major brands will discuss how greener operations can boost the bottom line.

Parcel delivery firm Evri is launching a major hiring campaign to bring on 5,000 new couriers across the UK, shortly after revealing its merger plans with DHL’s UK e-commerce division. The expansion will see Evri’s self-employed courier network grow to 33,000, with roles available in areas such as Dover, Bury, Hastings, Scarborough, and Plymouth.

Of the new roles, 1,000 will be permanent, while the remaining positions will offer flexible working options tailored to peak delivery periods. Those who commit to working five days or more per week will be eligible for Evri’s new Plus scheme, which includes paid holiday and pension contributions.

The recruitment drive follows a year of transformation for Evri, formerly Hermes, which was purchased by private equity firm Apollo for £2.7 billion. With more than 800 million parcels delivered annually, the company operates a wide UK network of couriers, employees, depots, and hubs.

The upcoming merger with DHL eCommerce UK is set to create the nation’s largest parcel delivery business, expanding operations to include business letter delivery and boosting Evri’s global logistics reach. CEO Martijn de Lange emphasised the importance of growing the courier network to enhance service quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

In a major step towards greener logistics, Kuehne+Nagel has completed the first cross-Channel freight journey using a heavy-duty electric truck. Teaming up with Renault Trucks and P&O Ferries, the fully electric Renault Trucks E-Tech T carried freight from the UK to France via ferry – a first for zero-emission transport of this kind.

The truck set off from Kuehne+Nagel’s East Midlands Gateway site in Derbyshire and travelled to Amiens, France, with a ferry crossing from Dover to Calais. Operated aboard the P&O Liberté – a hybrid ferry with 40% lower emissions than standard vessels – the journey marked a significant advancement in low-carbon freight solutions.

Following unloading, reloading and recharging in France, the electric vehicle returned to the UK, completing a round trip of 1,100 km. The project not only demonstrated the operational reliability of electric trucks on international routes but also confirmed ferry transport as a safe and compliant option for heavy-duty EVs crossing the Channel.

This pioneering journey aims to pave the way for wider adoption of electric haulage and to position key trade routes like Dover-Calais as future-ready green freight corridors. The collaboration highlights the growing potential for decarbonised transport between the UK and mainland Europe.

The UK’s logistics industry now contributes £170 billion annually to the economy and employs over 8% of the national workforce, according to new figures published in The Logistics Report 2025. Launched at Logistics UK’s first-ever annual conference in London, the report calls on the government to acknowledge the strategic importance of logistics in driving national growth.

Phil Roe, President of Logistics UK, highlighted that logistics is far more than a background function - it’s a core component of economic performance. He urged policymakers to position logistics as a priority within the UK's Industrial Strategy, noting its foundational role in enabling trade, supporting businesses, and sustaining supply chains.

The report combines official statistics with insights from industry professionals and survey responses from over 500 logistics firms. It reveals a dip in overall business confidence, attributed to ongoing economic pressures. However, firms continue to invest cautiously, particularly in new vehicle technology and sustainable fleet management, demonstrating their commitment to decarbonisation.

Despite efforts to modernise, the sector faces ongoing recruitment challenges. Larger firms are turning to automation and AI to fill gaps, but concerns remain about the need for a steady pipeline of skilled workers. As global trade agreements advance, experts stress that a resilient logistics network is vital to realising the full benefits of future trade deals.

Following the government’s latest spending review, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a £15.6bn investment package aimed at upgrading transport infrastructure outside London. The funding forms part of a broader £113bn capital programme designed to drive long-term economic growth through improvements in transport, housing, and energy.

The review outlined major allocations for regional transport, including £2.5bn for Greater Manchester, £2.4bn for the West Midlands, and £2.1bn to kick-start West Yorkshire’s mass transit system. South Yorkshire secured £1.5bn to modernise its tram network, and the East Midlands was awarded £2bn to begin designing a new transport link between Derby and Nottingham. Many of these projects had been previously announced but never funded under the Conservatives.

Reeves positioned the spending as a deliberate move away from centralisation, confirming a change to Treasury rules to prioritise projects that enhance productivity in regions often overlooked. She stressed that the review marks a “step change” in how investment is assessed and allocated, giving every region a “fair hearing”.

Despite concerns around tightening departmental budgets, Labour insists this capital package reflects its commitment to rebuilding Britain with fairness at its core - placing infrastructure and regional opportunity at the heart of its economic strategy.

Poland has announced plans to create the largest transshipment logistics hub in Europe, with major investment going into the expansion of the Euroterminal in Sławków, located in the Silesian Voivodeship. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the state, alongside its partners, will invest around €1 billion to significantly upgrade the terminal's infrastructure and nearly double its current capacity.

Speaking during a visit to the site, Tusk said the project was not about breaking records but about seizing a strategic opportunity for Poland. He underlined the importance of state control over such a key asset, describing the development as a “golden opportunity” for the country’s economic and logistical future.

A key motivation behind the expansion is Poland’s ambition to play a central role in the future reconstruction of Ukraine. Tusk said Poland is keen to both support Ukraine and ensure it gains from the economic benefits that will follow. He highlighted the need to avoid repeating past mistakes, such as being excluded from post-conflict rebuilding efforts in other regions.

Strategically located at the intersection of broad and standard gauge rail lines, the Sławków terminal is already a key hub for freight moving between Asia and Western Europe. Once complete, its capacity will increase from 285,000 to over 500,000 TEU annually.

Transport for London (TfL) has put forward plans to increase the Congestion Charge to £18 a day from 2 January 2025 - a 20% rise from the current £15. This would be the first increase since 2020, when the charge went up from £11.50. The fee applies to vehicles entering central London between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and from 12pm to 6pm at weekends.

Under the new proposal, motorists would pay £18 if the charge is paid on the day of travel or in advance, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day. Drivers failing to pay within 48 hours would be fined £180, or £90 if settled within 14 days. TfL also plans to link future increases to inflation and public transport fare changes.

Electric vehicles, which were previously exempt, will begin paying the charge from January, though those registered with Auto Pay will receive a 25% discount. Vans, HGVs, and other large vehicles will benefit from a 50% discount. From March 2030, these discounts will reduce further to 12.5% and 25% respectively. TfL also plans to simplify how electric vehicle discounts are applied by using DVLA data automatically.

The Federation of Small Businesses has criticised the rise, calling it a harsh blow for firms already facing financial pressures. Meanwhile, environmental groups have welcomed the move, saying it reinforces London’s commitment to clean air and sustainable transport. A public consultation is open until 4 August.

Concerns are rising within the UK transport and touring industries over the looming enforcement of EU travel restrictions. The Entry/Exit System (EES), expected to launch in November, will enforce the 90/180 rule - limiting stays in the Schengen Area to 90 days within any 180-day period. This has major implications for British hauliers, coach operators, and touring crews supporting UK performers across Europe.

Unlike EU artists entering the UK under a single immigration framework, UK performers must navigate varying entry rules across EU member states. The British government is working with industry voices to push for more flexible arrangements, aiming to make travel smoother for creative professionals and their support teams. These discussions are expected to feature in upcoming UK-EU talks, with calls for visa-free movement and streamlined customs processes.

Although some EU countries have shown hesitation towards the UK’s proposals, there is interest in reaching a broader agreement, particularly around youth mobility between the UK and EU. This has encouraged hopes of a tailored exemption or visa scheme to avoid disrupting international tours.

Industry leaders are calling for solutions that will maintain the UK’s strong touring presence in Europe and protect the livelihoods of those working behind the scenes in transport and logistics.

Logistics professionals are embracing artificial intelligence at a rapid pace, with a recent study revealing that 62% of information-handling staff in the sector are already using it—and nearly all report positive results. According to research from The Access Group, 97% of logistics workers using AI say it has improved their working life.

Although the logistics industry trails the tech sector in AI uptake (74%), it far outpaces sectors like not-for-profit and health and social care, where adoption is below 30%. Within logistics, employees highlighted reduced workloads, improved focus, and increased productivity as the main benefits. Better communication and enhanced customer service also ranked highly.

ChatGPT emerged as the most widely used AI tool, with more than half of respondents relying on it. Many users said it helped ease workplace stress. However, concerns remain - particularly around the risk of job losses (51%) and data privacy (46%).

Industry leaders say AI offers a transformative opportunity. Jarrod Adam of Unleashed noted that AI can help small and mid-sized logistics firms overcome skills shortages and cut costs. Meanwhile, Access Group’s Marko Perisic stressed the importance of proper training and secure platforms. With the right approach, AI can foster innovation, efficiency, and safer data handling across the logistics workforce.