Bottle sees warehousing litmus test

Funding for programmes to drive innovation in logistics and encourage young people into the sector must be included in the Government’s upcoming spending review, the UK Warehousing Association said.

Clare Bottle says: “Warehouses aren’t simply the physical hub for goods, they’re a litmus test for the UK’s attractiveness as a place to invest.

“This is the moment for the Government to embrace warehousing and logistics as an engine for growth. We normally doesn’t ask much from government. With targeted support for innovation and skills, and continued progress on reducing barriers, we are confident that warehousing can play a central role in driving the UK forward.”

In a submission to the Treasury, the leading membership body for the warehousing industry called for:

The Generation Logistics programme, which changes perceptions of careers in the area, to be extended. 

The Freight Innovation Fund, which provides up to £150,000 to companies to test out productivity-enhancing technologies in real-world settings, to be included in the Government’s long term spending plans.

Recent changes announced by the Chancellor to remove barriers from the planning system and encourage regulators to have a more pro-growth outlook were praised by the trade body, but further action was called for to reduce bureaucratic delay when it came to customs approvals, planning, and the business rates system.