We stand ready to deliver growth

Earlier today, the Prime Minister set out this Plan for Change – the milestones the Government aims to reach by the end of this Parliament.

Commenting on this, RHA Managing Director Richard Smith said:

"Our industry will be critical to enabling the economic growth which is central to the Government’s plans. Road freight and logistics will be crucial to meeting the aim of building 1.5 million homes over the next few years. As we set out in our recent response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, for each dwelling in the UK, there's currently 109 sq ft of occupied industrial and logistics space.

"Every new home is a new delivery point –so more homes must be matched with the increase in logistics premises to service these houses. It's also promising to see the Government highlight the failure of the planning regime and the time it takes to secure planning permission for major infrastructure projects. 

"Our sector needs a reliable road network and we look forward to seeing faster infrastructure delivery including the road capacity needed to reduce congestion, improve journey times and connect our country. The Government’s acknowledgement that critical infrastructure underpins economic growth is welcome and we will continue engaging with Ministers as they plan future road investment and the 10-year infrastructure strategy. 

"We'll continue our engagement with the Department for Education on the proposed reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy to ensure it meets the needs of our key sector. In terms of the Government’s aim of putting police back on the beat, this must also be matched with a better police response and national strategy for tackling freight crime."