Both the FTA and RHA have launched their own manifestos at the CV Show.

the FTA Logistics Manifesto 2015 sets-out the priorities to deliver economic growth, improve safety and reduce pollution.  The Manifesto states that the logistics sector needs greater understanding by Government of the way it operates and that it must work with the industry in order to make it more efficient, improve safety and lower the environmental footprint.  

Karen Dee – FTA director of policy said: “Logistics underpins every aspect of modern life.  It is utterly indispensable to the working our home lives, our businesses, our schools and hospitals – everything.  We can make logistics more efficient, but we need better support from the Government.  This doesn’t need to come with a huge price tag, but it does need greater understanding of the way we really operate and how Government can work with us to achieve its own aims.”
 
The FTA’s Logistics Manifesto Policy Top 10 are:

• Recognise the logistics sector’s essential status
• Reduce fuel duty for commercial vehicles
• Provide support for industry’s skills development programme
• Invest in national transport infrastructure
• Encourage and enable private sector investment in transport
• Commit to a plan for increased hub aviation capacity and preserve current access to night flights
• Ensure regulatory systems are fit for 21st century logistics
• Partner with industry to develop a programme which addresses both the carbon and air quality challenges
• Support the uptake of environment-friendly freight
• Help towns and cities develop transport plans which deliver economically vibrant, safe and attractive places

The RHA also published its own manifesto. RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “The UK’s economic recovery will rely on maintaining consumer confidence and boosting business output, keeping pounds in pockets. Today we are proposing 17 measures the next government should act upon to help achieve these aims.

“The road haulage industry is an essential enabler of economic growth, employment and wealth creation. The UK economy can only grow and prosper if the public has pounds in its pockets. This means the next government must, at least, keep fuel duty frozen, invest towards achieving a congestion free, fit for purpose, roads network and crucially; to keep the supply chain moving by helping the industry to recruit and train sufficient numbers of drivers.”

“Everything we eat, drink and wear depends on haulage services. We would have no homes to live in, heat to warm them or jobs to go to without trucks, and the companies and drivers that operate them. The vehicles are seen every day – but less often understood.

“Our manifesto aims to inform, educate and persuade all political candidates and relevant stakeholders about the critical decisions the next government must make to ensure this industry and the public can deliver the recovery,” said Burnett.

In addition to fuel duty, roads, the dire shortage of HGV drivers, the RHA’s manifesto also proposes security, safety and environmental policies, which will secure the road haulage and logistics industry and benefit the wider economy.

Both manifestos have been sent to prospective parliamentary candidates for their consideration during the election campaign. 

The launches follow in the footsteps of the Fleet Industry Manifesto, launched by Fleet News, ACFO and the BVRLA last year, representing the operators and purchasers of half of vehicles on the road in the UK.