SPEAKING AT a UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) event in the House of Lords, Mather said “recent events, both at home and abroad” had shown how critical the logistics sector is to the UK’s success.

He pointed to reforms to the planning system that require local authorities to account for the needs of logistics, alongside funding for technology-driven advances and better data on freight networks.

The minister also acknowledged the skills challenges facing warehousing, praising the UKWA for doing an “absolutely stellar job at shaping the workforce and making sure that it’s future-ready”. The association has been developing new technical and vocational routes into the sector with government departments.

Clare Bottle, chief executive of the UKWA, welcomed progress on planning reform and training, but warned: “There is a massive black cloud hanging over us at the moment, however, in the threat of further business rate rises at the Budget.

“It’s absolutely essential that logistics is seen as a priority for the whole of government. Rising costs in one part of the supply chain, whether that’s tax, regulation or fuel, will lead to higher prices for companies and consumers.”