EU workers are vital to the logistics industry: FTA

By Matt Atherton

- Last updated on GMT

Non-UK EU workers are vital to the logistics industry, the FTA said
Non-UK EU workers are vital to the logistics industry, the FTA said

Related tags International trade United kingdom

Non-UK EU workers make as vital contribution to the logistics sector as their counterparts do in the National Health Service and the construction industry, said the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

FTA chief executive David Wells told transport secretary Chris Grayling that more than 15,000 FTA members transport traded goods in Europe, and 11% of the industry’s workforce are EU nationals. Wells called for the government to make sure the UK was trading competitively in the EU market.

There are already labour shortages in the logistics industry, and the sector relies on its 31,500 EU national drivers based in the UK, said Wells. He added that British businesses would need to retain their EU members of staff, and continue to recruit from Europe.

‘It’s vital to keep Britain trading’

Wells said: “For FTA members, it’s vital to keep Britain trading, and ensure that their businesses remain competitive in the European market.

“It’s a period of great uncertainty, but there is much the government can do to bolster confidence in British businesses.”

It is vital that any new trade agreements do not make British goods more expensive, said Wells. He added that regulations should not be complicated or strict.

“The transport secretary took FTA members’ concerns on board and said he would press for tariff-free trade and endeavour to make the movement of goods as easy as possible,”​ said Wells.

Costs would have a knock-on effect to consumers

The British Retail Consortium echoed the FTA’s concerns this week, after it said that a hard Brexit – involving no access to the Single Market – would increase the price of importing meat and Chilean wine​ by 27% and 14% respectively. It said these costs would have a knock-on effect to consumers, as shop prices would rise too.

Brexit and the logistics industry

  • 31,500 EU transport drivers based in the UK
  • 11% of total workforce
  • 15,000 FTA members transport goods through Europe

Related topics Supply Chain

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