Significant ‘Firsts’ achieved for warehousing sector says UKWA Chief at House of Lords

Clare Bottle, Chief Executive of the UK Warehousing Association, used her platform at the UKWA Annual Parliamentary Lunch last week to highlight a series of significant ‘firsts’ achieved for the sector over the past year.

Addressing an audience of industry leaders and parliamentarians, she explained that for the first time, logistics and freight are part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, with a new Freight Plan now in development that UKWA will shape as members of the Department for Transport’s Freight Council.

Furthermore, she added, for the first time, the National Planning Policy Framework now instructs local authorities to take the needs of logistics into account, and for the first time, the Defence Industrial Strategy, published just last month, has acknowledged warehousing as part of the UK’s defence industrial base.

On skills, she said, UKWA is well on the way to delivering the first ever dedicated Apprenticeship for Warehouse Management, an important milestone in driving up industry standards.

Honorary President of UKWA, Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, paid tribute to Clare and offered her congratulations on the profile achieved for the warehousing sector and for the organisation, which she described as ‘truly remarkable’.

Rachel Taylor Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, who also spoke at the event, acknowledged the ‘strides made in warehousing over the last twelve months’ and declared that she would continue to advocate for the sector, which contributes £10.3bn to the economy.

“20% of people in my constituency work in warehousing and logistics,” she said. “As I’m out and about visiting businesses, people tell me that they feel their voices are being listened to in parliament.”

Clare concluded, “The UKWA House of Lords Luncheon is always a popular event and chance for our members and parliamentarians to come together, share ideas, and strengthen the partnership between industry and government.

Over the past year, my team has worked hard to ensure that the strategic importance of warehousing is recognised in Westminster and Whitehall, and I’m proud of everything that we have achieved.

UKWA is here to represent our members and our sector – AND we are being listened to! Our influence is growing, our expertise is trusted, and our purpose is clear: to build a business environment in which this vital sector can continue to thrive, innovate, and serve the nation.”

The UKWA Annual Parliamentary Lunch was generously sponsored by Savills, who hosted a high-level Roundtable discussion at One Great George Street with selected delegates earlier in the day. The theme was “Navigating the New Normal – Cost Pressures, Lease Reform & the Future of Industrial Occupancy,” and topics ranged from the ongoing issue of Business Rates, the Government’s progress on Planning Reform and the proposed ban on Upward Only Rent Review clauses in the English Devolution Bill.