Chancellor Rachel Reeves met haulage and logistics leaders in the Midlands last week – aiming to map out “routes to growth” for a sector at the heart of the UK economy. The roundtable took place at LTS Global Solutions, Coleshill – bringing together senior industry figures and Treasury representatives. Key focus: tackling cost pressures – fuel, labour, and investment hurdles. Sector stakes: millions of jobs and critical supply chains nationwide. Industry voice: Logistics UK warns fuel duty hikes could stifle growth – urges targeted government support.
The meeting covered investment, efficiency, and future growth. Official details are limited – but the talks form part of Reeves’ wider outreach on regional economic strategy. Industry priorities include cost certainty, regulatory clarity, and greener logistics solutions.
The session is part of a bigger government push – Chancellor Reeves emphasizes no region locked out of investment. This was reinforced at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. In the West Midlands, a £2.4bn transport boost aims to expand trams, improve infrastructure, and unlock private investment. Multi-billion-pound local transport packages target better connectivity, economic growth, and new jobs.
Industry reaction is cautious but positive. Haulage firms welcome the dialogue but stress that challenges remain. Fuel costs, post-Brexit adjustments, and global competition continue to pressure the sector. Businesses are calling for strategic support – infrastructure, tax incentives, and investment in green technologies.
Looking ahead, Reeves’ Plan for Change focuses on boosting private and public investment across UK regions. Businesses will watch closely – will these high-level discussions translate into real action? Midlands logistics hubs could be a key test of the government’s regional growth strategy.
