17 July 2024 – London, UK - The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) Public Policy Committee has released statements following the Kings Speech delivered this afternoon that outlined new legalisation affecting the logistics, transport and supply chain industry.

CILT UK, Director of Public Policy and Communications, Daniel Parker-Klein:

“The King’s speech signals a recognition by the new government of the transformative opportunities provided by the transport, logistics and the wider supply chain. 

“We welcome the government’s ambition contained with the Bills announced today and the prominent position our profession plays within them.

“The government is seeking to improve both local and national transport links, empower local decision making with greater devolution, to focus on net zero and sustainable energy, to increase the provision of housing and to improve the skills landscape to enable all this to be delivered. 

“Much work needs to be done to achieve this ambition and there is a great deal of detail to explore, but we welcome the opportunity to work closely with the government providing an expert, professional balanced perspective.”  

Paul Le Blond, Aviation Policy Group Chair, CILT(UK):

"We welcome the proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill, we reiterate our calls for maintaining established long-term policies to mandate the proportion of fuel that is SAF alongside other measures to achieve net zero, including supporting the development of zero emission aircraft and operational improvements, all in the context of international agreements."

Dominic Scholfield, Environment Policy Group Chair:

"We cautiously welcome this government's stated intention to review the planning system and urge that they take the opportunity to push for (a) more local service provision to reduce the need to travel, and (b) better standards regarding active travel infrastructure as part of new developments. We also urge that they strengthen the cross-department work on planning, energy and transport to deliver faster rollout of infrastructure for electric vehicles, from cars to trucks, and to leverage smart charging as a solution to matching supply and demand as they move to more renewable energy on the grid."

Ian Wainwright, Freight and Logistics Policy Group Chair:

“We welcome the potential of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, especially if it provides for speedier development of critical transport infrastructure, facilitates and more transparent planning decisions. We would urge the new Government to take on board the CILT response to the DfT October 2023 Consultation on Freight and Logistics and the Planning System, where we identified the need for changes to planning controls and for guidance on freight and logistics facilities of national significance. 

“We also broadly welcome an English Devolution Bill, especially if it encourages greater provision and coordination of passenger services. However, the details of the Bill and retaining Central Government oversight will be critical. Less than 50% of England is currently covered by such devolution deals and the need to decarbonise transport, especially freight and logistics, requires national solutions.

“I would hope that the Skills England Bill recognises the benefits of Generation Logistics, helps to develop the next generation of logistics professionals, and addresses the shortage of freight and logistics knowledge amongst planners and regulators.”  

Paul Lulham, South East Regional Chair:

From a Transport Planning and South East Regional perspective:

“Whilst we welcome the emphasis in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on simplifying the consenting process for major infrastructure projects and improving the resourcing and performance of local planning authorities, it is vital that this is accompanied by the reinstatement of regional planning, to ensure that a firmer link is established between development and infrastructure, thereby achieving truly sustainable growth of the right type in the right places.”

Julian Worth, Rail Freight Forum Chair:

I welcome the confirmation of rail reform and urge the government in its first 100 days to:

• Authorise electrification of the London Gateway branch to Britain's second largest container port, at a cost of less than £10m
• Link charges for traction electricity to the cost of diesel, as Germany has done, to encourage operators to use electric locomotives
• Link track access charges for rail freight to fuel duty for HGVs, to give a fairer balance of infrastructure charges paid by each mode
• Reactivate the Freight Facility Grant, which was suspended by the last Government, and increase the budget for Mode Shift support
• Introduce an Incubator Grant to encourage new multi-customer intermodal routes and enable more companies to use rail

Martin Fleetwood, Strategic Rail Policy Group Chair: 

“We would encourage any light rail solutions to remain within the GBR balance sheet and not become local authority obligations just because it is light rail. We also look forward to seeing proposals for fares and ticketing solutions to accompany the transfer of passenger services to national ownership / operation.”

Ann Frye, Accessibility and Inclusion Forum Chair:

“We urge the Government to ensure that the access and mobility needs of disabled and older people are integral to the thinking, planning and delivery of change across all transport modes.”

Mike Scott, Bus and Coach Policy Group Vice Chair:

"For buses, the proposed Better Buses Bill will allow English local authorities to set up their own bus companies to operate services and compete for contracts. This not only equalizes English legislation with the municipal operator provisions in Scotland, it also allows local authorities to take steps to tackle competition deserts where there is little or no competitive market for socially necessary bus service contracts."

Relevant legislation outlined in the Kings Speech:

English Devolution Bill:  

New powers will be granted to Metro Mayors and combined authorities to catalyse economic growth plans, the Government says.

This will include enhanced powers over strategic planning, local transport networks, skills, and employment support.

The Government believes this will enable local leaders to create jobs and improve living standards.

Better Buses Bill:

Additionally, the King announced Labour’s Better Buses Bill that will see local leaders ‘take control’ of bus services.

The Government explained this Bill will improve services across the country, supporting local leaders to create the transport networks that are right for their communities.

The bill will return power of bus services to local communities to deliver the Government’s 5-point transport sector plan that was recently announced by Transport Secretary Lousie Haigh.

Rail Reform:

As mentioned in the Government’s manifesto, under the Rail Reform Bill, new publicly owned rail company, Great British Railways (GBR), will be established.

According to the Government, GBR will own the infrastructure, receive the fare revenue, run and plan the network, set fares and timetables and will absorb Network Rail.   

The Government has said they would like to act ‘swiftly’ on this to bring the first contracts back into public ownership as soon as they expire or are broken.

A new passenger Watchdog, the Passenger Standards Authority, will also be delivered by the Government to monitor standards and improvement in service performance.

The Bill’s key objectives include reliable, affordable, efficient, quality, accessible and safe travel.

Great British Energy Bill:

Additional new public owned company, Great British Energy (GB Energy) will be established with headquarters based in Scotland.

The bill will develop, own and operate assets, investing in partnership with the private sector backed by £8.3 billion of capitalised Government investment.

According to the Government, investments taken by Great British Energy will accelerate new technological projects and supply chains that will benefit homes with cheaper and cleaner power.

With the Government’s plans to achieve clean energy by 2030, this Bill is expected play a crucial role to meet that target.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill:

This Bill highlights the need for decarbonisation within the aviation sector as the Government explained that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a key measure to achieving this goal.

Under this legislation a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF producers to invest in new UK plants will be introduced.

The Government believes this will create demand for SAF and set targets on fuel suppliers to use a proportion of SAF.

As a result of this bill new jobs and growth opportunities in the sector are expected to follow and also help secure a supply of SAF for UK airlines to enhance energy security.

Skills England Bill:

The Bill will transfer functions from IfATE to Skills England which will convene employers, unions, education and training providers, and experts with national government to:

• Develop a single picture of national and local skills needs.
• Identify the training for which the Growth and Skills Levy will be accessible
• Ensure that the national and regional skills systems are meeting skills needs and are aligned

The Government will establish Skills England to help combat the increasing skills and vacancy shortage in England, building a data base to help address these gaps.

Planning and Infrastructure Bill 

The Bill is said to improve the planning system at a local level, modernising planning committees and increasing local planning authorities’ capacity to deliver an improved service.

This includes accelerating housebuilding, simplifying the delivery process for critical infrastructure and will align with industrial, energy, and transport strategies.