Calls for government to appoint Logistics and Supply Chain minister

As prime minister Rishi Sunak announced the general election will be held on 4 July, business group Logistics UK has urged all political parties to appoint a Logistics and Supply Chain minister.
Chief executive David Wells OBE stressed that focusing on investment and growth in the logistics industry would improve the UK's whole economy.
He said: “Whether manufacturing or retail, healthcare or education, every part of our economy relies upon logistics to provide all the goods needed to generate business and growth.
“Innovative, integrated infrastructure backed by a national logistics network will deliver efficiencies and opportunities that can benefit us all.
"Giving logistics a voice at the heart of government would ensure that the needs of industry and business are heard, and that our sector can work with government to drive up the country’s productivity."
Logistics UK launched its new manifesto earlier this year, alongside new survey data showing fewer than a third of adults think the government is doing enough to support the sector.
“The public understands how vital logistics is and, rightly, does not think the government is doing enough to support the industry,” continued Wells.
“The establishment of a cross-Whitehall Logistics Productivity Forum, led by a dedicated logistics and supply chain government minister, would ensure that benefits from our sector can be delivered to the whole economy.”
Logistics UK’s manifesto has already been distributed to all political parties, with the request that its policy proposals be incorporated into the parties’ own manifestos as they begin campaigning.