Great to attend the London Logistics event with @RHANews this week. I shared updates on the Mayor’s London Growth Plan, which aims to boost productivity, help create 150,000 jobs, and grow London’s economy by £107bn by 2035. The freight industry is key to achieving this ambitious growth target.

We've welcomed a Government announcement today (Tuesday 11 February) that makes some apprenticeships in transport and logistics more viable for the industry. The minimum length of an apprenticeship in England will be reduced from 12 months to eight months. Businesses will now be able to decide whether adult learners over the age of 19 when they start their apprenticeship course will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in order to pass it. We've long campaigned for the move and said firms will have more choice on courses, and it will remove barriers to the successful completion of some apprenticeships. @RHASallyG, RHA Policy Manager – Skills, said: “We’re delighted at today’s announcement which will ensure we can get more people behind the wheel and into other roles in our industry. “This is particularly pertinent given that our industry will need 200,000 new lorry drivers in the next five years to service demand and drive growth. “There are many instances where apprentices have got through the technical aspects of their courses but were held back because they didn’t pass the Maths and English elements. “But we’re pleased that this move will remove those barriers and support people into rewarding new careers in our industry.” We'll continue to campaign for greater flexibility for short courses to be added alongside apprenticeships within the Growth and Skills Levy, she added. We launched our Lorry Drivers: the vital link report last week setting out our vision to future-proof the industry and drive economic growth through HGV driver recruitment, training and retention. rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/… #RHASkills #NAW2025 #SkillsForLife

Excellent interview from @JamesBarwiseRHA to tricky questions, as James highlights any large infrastructure project will divide people but ultimately Britain needs to get building and stop being so stagnant, the #LowerThamesCrossing is needed!

It was fantastic to welcome the Future of Roads Minister @LilianGreenwood to ADS Truck Parking in Stoke-on-Trent as part of #NationalLorryWeek. Improvements have been made possible thanks to a joint investment of up to £43 million from @transportgovuk and industry. Read more about the funding here: tinyurl.com/3wc5kzvb #RHAFacilities

🎥 WATCH my colleague @JamesBarwiseRHA outline our initial reaction to today’s budget on BBC Politics Live @BBCNews

RHA Policy Lead @JamesBarwiseRHA has reiterated key roads investment asks ahead of the Chancellor’s #Budget on 30 October in his latest editorial. He calls for the #LowerThamesCrossing to get the green light this week to boost local and national economies. He also urges ministers to uphold £8bn road maintenance pledges and announce new projects in the upcoming Roads Investment Strategy (RIS3). rha.uk.net/news/news/detail/… #RHAInfrastructure #RHACostsAndRegulation #RIS3

A fascinating conversation at our Roundtable this morning led by our partner The Road Haulage Association (RHA) on how the Skills and Growth Levy can unlock green skills to futureproof supply chains @mike_reader @SarahEdwardsTam @RHASallyG @RachelTaylorMP @metecoban92

A range of businesses have joined forces to send a letter to @transportgovuk Secretary @LouHaigh calling for the government to approve the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Lower Thames Crossing. The letter outlines the importance of this Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project - making clear that it must go ahead. Commenting, RHA Director of Policy & Public Affairs, @RHADeclan said: "The decision on the 4 October on the Lower Thames Crossing looms large for our industry. This vital road project will unlock economic growth by almost doubling capacity across the Thames east of London and tackling the congestion at the Dartford Crossing which costs the economy more than £200m every year in lost productivity and freight delays. We urgently need this to be given the green light." You can view the joint letter in full 👇 tinyurl.com/LTCJointLetter

Thank you for inviting me and for the opportunity to discuss a sector that is so vital to delivering on the Government’s missions.

We’re urging the Government to give the green light to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing and we urge you to add your voice to the call. The Government will announce if the ambitious infrastructure project linking Essex and Kent will get the go ahead on Friday 4 October. Nearby Dartford Crossing congestion costs the UK millions every year. The crossing is used by 150,000 vehicles a day and cannot keep up with the huge demand. Add your voice to the call here: forms.office.com/pages/respo…

Good to speak to @BBCRadioKent and @annacookson to highlight our concerns over the potential impact of the EU Entry Exit System on freight and coaches. We must have the infrastructure in place to reduce delays

Policy Lead for Facilities @RHAAshton told @BBCBreakfast about the severity of freight crime in the UK "The impact needs to be seen!" WATCH 📺 👇 #RHAFacilities @NaVCIS_UK

I’ve written to the Home Secretary to raise the important issue of freight crime - and its impact on drivers, businesses and the economy. Great to be working with @RHANews on this

WATCH 🎥 Hauliers are facing significant cost pressures - a record number went into administration last year. The next Government must reduce rising costs and regulation faced by the businesses who are critical to our supply chain. Watch @BBCNews clip below.

Enjoyed my trip up to the North East yesterday to meet Labour Candidate for Darlington, Lola McEvoy. We talked reforming the Apprenticeship Levy, the role of transitional fuels in Net Zero, and improving driver facilities. Our thanks to George Allinson Transport for having us!

Today we were in Leyland meeting @UKLabour candidate for #SouthRibble @SRLabourLeader Paul met @JamesBarwiseRHA & Rachel Binns at our member firm H Parkinson Haulage to discuss infrastructure & investment in the road network. Our #GeneralElection #RHAInfrastructure asks👇 tinyurl.com/RHAGEInf

#M25 closure this weekend. @JamesBarwiseRHA told @FayeBarker on @LBCNews that investment is vital to make our roads more efficient. He urged road users to plan journeys to minimise impact of any delays #RHAInfrastructure

Today, 33 of our largest members wrote to @Jeremy_Hunt asking him to consider measures to support hauliers this #SpringBudget. Last year more than 490 road haulage businesses became insolvent, this isn’t sustainable. The sector needs support now 👇 obi41.nl/2p92w5xt

The past 18 months we have led a campaign to urge greater Government focus to improve roadside facilities. We are delighted to be leading a new Government taskforce on this issue. This has been a key ask of our driver facilities campaign. Here’s a thread on our campaign (🧵1/4)

Editorial from @JamesBarwiseRHA on the scourge of #potholes on our roads. On #NationalPotholeDay we call for more infrastructure investment to boost the #economy #RHAInfrastructure rha.uk.net/News/News-Blogs-a…