Andy Burnham has been appointed the new Prime Minister and has retained Heidi Alexander as transport secretary, a post she has held since November 2024.
A new Chancellor, however, has been appointed, with John Healey now taking the post.
The fleet sector has mostly welcomed the new Prime Minister, but warned that there are challenges in transport and logistics that need to be tackled.
Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK, said: "Logistics UK looks forward to working closely with Andy Burnham and his government to deliver the economic and industrial growth the whole country needs, and ensure the logistics sector remains at the heart of a competitive and resilient UK economy.”
“’Manchesterism’ has been a great example of how an economy and city can thrive with a clear plan that puts transport at its heart. The UK’s logistics industry employs people in every constituency across the country. Our sector wants to work with the new Government to take the best of ‘Manchesterism’ and turbocharge its delivery, linking up every town and city in the UK, as well as helping enable over a trillion pounds of international trade.”
“Nothing moves without logistics and our sector will be vital to the UK’s reindustrialisation and growth plans. It underpins the economy, supporting businesses, homes and public services, employing 8% of the UK workforce and contributing £175 billion in GVA each year.”
“Our sector’s hubs and workforce are embedded in communities across the country, providing skilled jobs, rewarding careers and enabling businesses to trade, domestically and internationally. As the government continues its drive for industrial growth and devolution, logistics has a key role to play in ensuring investment translates into improved standards of living and opportunities in every region and nation of the UK.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of automotive trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: "On behalf of the UK automotive industry, I congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and wish him every success as he forms his new Government. The Labour Party has already demonstrated its commitment to automotive manufacturing through the industrial strategy and, building on those foundations, the sector can be a powerful engine for growth, delivering investment, innovation and high value jobs in every part of the UK.
"There remain many challenges to the industry, both at home and abroad, but if we strengthen our competitiveness and provide greater support for the transition to net zero, we can drive reindustrialisation and economic renewal in every region and nation of Britain. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and his team to realise that opportunity."
Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI, said: "We congratulate Andy Burnham on becoming Prime Minister and we genuinely welcome his stated commitment to re-industrialisation and to technical and vocational skills. However, before the general election, Labour promised to champion the motor industry – a sector fundamental to the UK's economy and its social infrastructure. Two years on, that promise has not been delivered, and the skills gap in our sector has become a road safety issue.
"Vehicles are changing faster than at any point in history - electrification, connected systems, automated driving technology. The people who maintain, repair and recover them must be demonstrably competent, yet apprenticeship starts are falling and qualification levels are nowhere near where demand requires.
“The new Prime Minister has an immediate opportunity to put this right: mandate IMI TechSafe, protect the rigour of automotive apprenticeships, and give our 800,000-strong workforce the recognition and investment it deserves. The IMI is ready to work with him from day one."
