Logistics minister Keir Mather says government is working to strengthen UK supply chains
At a UK Warehousing Association event, Mather cited planning reform, technology funding and better freight data as government support for logistics. UKWA chief executive Clare Bottle warned warehouse operators face the threat of further business rate rises in the Budget.
"Recent events, both at home and abroad" have shown how critical the logistics sector is to the UK's success, logistics minister Keir Mather told business leaders at a UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) event in the House of Lords, Motor Transport reported.
Mather said the government was "doing its best to step in and strengthen supply chains" facing pressure from high fuel prices and the constant need to increase efficiency. He cited three examples of government action to support the industry: planning reforms to make sure local authorities account for the needs of logistics, funding for technology-driven advances, and better data on freight networks.
He also acknowledged skills challenges in warehousing, saying UKWA was doing an "absolutely stellar job at shaping the workforce and making sure that it’s future-ready". UKWA said it is developing new technical and vocational pathways into warehousing in collaboration with government departments.
Clare Bottle, UKWA chief executive, welcomed the ministerial role. "We have been campaigning for a long time to get a minister for logistics, and the fact it has finally happened is a sign that the government is taking our sector seriously," she said, adding: "The government has made some positive moves, including planning reform and new training options for warehousing."
But she warned: "There is a massive black cloud hanging over us at the moment, however, in the threat of further business rate rises in the Budget." Bottle said: "Rising costs in one part of the supply chain, whether that’s tax, regulation or fuel, will lead to higher prices for companies and consumers." She called for business and government to work together.
The UK average diesel pump price was 200.0p a litre in the week of 12 October 2026, up from 199.5p the week before, according to government figures tracked by THRIVE.
Sources
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