Spotlight
Government extends fuel duty freeze and grants HGV tax relief
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the government will extend the temporary 5p cut in fuel duty until the end of the year, alongside a 12-month vehicle tax holiday for the haulage industry, in a move welcomed by operators facing soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran.
Latest news
Maxi Haulage braces for tough year as Iran War creates “major issues” for haulage sector
Maxi Haulage is preparing for a challenging year with “poorer margins”, as fuel price rises, linked to the conflict in Iran, exacerbate tough trading conditions in the haulage sector.
Insurance costs shutting young HGV drivers out of industry, warns Driver Hire
Higher insurance premiums for inexperienced HGV drivers are creating a major barrier to entry for younger recruits and worsening the sector’s looming driver shortage crisis, according to Driver Hire Training.
AO boosts delivery fleet and creates new jobs at Larkhall depot
Electricals retailer AO is marking five years of operations at its Larkhall delivery depot with new investment in its fleet, site improvements, and local job creation.
Maxi Haulage braces for tough year as Iran War creates “major issues” for haulage sector
Maxi Haulage is preparing for a challenging year with “poorer margins”, as fuel price rises, linked to the conflict in Iran, exacerbate tough trading conditions in the haulage sector.
Insurance costs shutting young HGV drivers out of industry, warns Driver Hire
Higher insurance premiums for inexperienced HGV drivers are creating a major barrier to entry for younger recruits and worsening the sector’s looming driver shortage crisis, according to Driver Hire Training.
AO boosts delivery fleet and creates new jobs at Larkhall depot
Electricals retailer AO is marking five years of operations at its Larkhall delivery depot with new investment in its fleet, site improvements, and local job creation.
Government extends fuel duty freeze and grants HGV tax relief
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the government will extend the temporary 5p cut in fuel duty until the end of the year, alongside a 12-month vehicle tax holiday for the haulage industry, in a move welcomed by operators facing soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran.
Lorry driver hid £7m worth of cocaine in truck carrying Kim Kardashian branded underwear
An HGV driver that smuggled £7m of cocaine hidden in a vehicle carrying a consignment of Kim Kardashian’s Skims underwear has been given a 13-and-a-half year jail sentence.
Isle of Wight Cycle challenge wheels in £41,000 for Transaid
Riders from 10 companies across transport and logistics took on Transaid’s latest cycle challenge, tackling a 225km journey from Dorking to the Isle of Wight and raising funds for projects in Africa.
Culina Group’s Stobart accused of ‘union-busting’ tactics
Stobart, part of Culina Group, has been accused of union-busting after claims it has gradually replaced unionised drivers on its Morrisons distribution contract with agency staff.
Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament
Legislation forcing large companies to pay smaller businesses on time and ending excessive delays has been introduced to Parliament.
Maxi Haulage braces for tough year as Iran War creates “major issues” for haulage sector
Insurance costs shutting young HGV drivers out of industry, warns Driver Hire
AO boosts delivery fleet and creates new jobs at Larkhall depot
Government extends fuel duty freeze and grants HGV tax relief
Lorry driver hid £7m worth of cocaine in truck carrying Kim Kardashian branded underwear
Isle of Wight Cycle challenge wheels in £41,000 for Transaid
Culina Group’s Stobart accused of ‘union-busting’ tactics
Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament
Operator news
Maxi Haulage braces for tough year as Iran War creates “major issues” for haulage sector
Maxi Haulage is preparing for a challenging year with “poorer margins”, as fuel price rises, linked to the conflict in Iran, exacerbate tough trading conditions in the haulage sector.
AO boosts delivery fleet and creates new jobs at Larkhall depot
Electricals retailer AO is marking five years of operations at its Larkhall delivery depot with new investment in its fleet, site improvements, and local job creation.
Culina Group’s Stobart accused of ‘union-busting’ tactics
Stobart, part of Culina Group, has been accused of union-busting after claims it has gradually replaced unionised drivers on its Morrisons distribution contract with agency staff.
Vehicle logistics sector battling to meet demand as Chinese OEMs scale up deliveries, says VRA
The vehicle logistics and storage sector is struggling to meet high levels of demand from the new car market, as Chinese OEMs ramp up their UK deliveries, according to the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).
Law Distribution sees profit rocket after ditching “unviable” contracts and winning new deals
Family-owned storage and distribution company Law Distribution saw both profit and turnover surge in 2025, following a major overhaul of the company’s business.
Welsh haulier prepares to call in administrators after 54 years in business
Third generation family-run haulier Sunhill Transport has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint an administrator, 54 years after the company was founded.
Energy fleets surge on rising demand
Commercial vehicle fleets serving the UK energy and fuels sector are expanding as rising demand and shifting energy use patterns reshape the market.
Over 40 jobs lost as “operational and financial challenges” take down Northampton haulier
“Operational and financial challenges” forced Northamptonshire haulier Instant Despatch Services (IDS) to close its doors after 25 years of trading, resulting in the loss of 42 jobs, administrators revealed this week.
John Sutch Cranes fleet investment reaches new heights with Scania order
John Sutch Cranes has added two new high-spec Scania S 660 A6x4NA heavy haulage units following a £750,000 fleet renewal programme.
HW Coates sees another year of growth
Chemical transport specialist HW Coates saw turnover and profits grow considerably last year, despite operating in a sector with “very modest economic growth”.
Administration watch
Welsh haulier prepares to call in administrators after 54 years in business
Third generation family-run haulier Sunhill Transport has filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint an administrator, 54 years after the company was founded.
Over 40 jobs lost as “operational and financial challenges” take down Northampton haulier
“Operational and financial challenges” forced Northamptonshire haulier Instant Despatch Services (IDS) to close its doors after 25 years of trading, resulting in the loss of 42 jobs, administrators revealed this week.
Yorkshire haulier closed down amid loss of contracts and soaring costs
The collapse of a family-run, East Yorkshire haulage firm was triggered by rising fuel costs and the loss of contracts resulting in more than 20 redundancies, according to its liquidator.
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Industry news
Insurance costs shutting young HGV drivers out of industry, warns Driver Hire
Higher insurance premiums for inexperienced HGV drivers are creating a major barrier to entry for younger recruits and worsening the sector’s looming driver shortage crisis, according to Driver Hire Training.
Government extends fuel duty freeze and grants HGV tax relief
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed the government will extend the temporary 5p cut in fuel duty until the end of the year, alongside a 12-month vehicle tax holiday for the haulage industry, in a move welcomed by operators facing soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran.
Lorry driver hid £7m worth of cocaine in truck carrying Kim Kardashian branded underwear
An HGV driver that smuggled £7m of cocaine hidden in a vehicle carrying a consignment of Kim Kardashian’s Skims underwear has been given a 13-and-a-half year jail sentence.
Isle of Wight Cycle challenge wheels in £41,000 for Transaid
Riders from 10 companies across transport and logistics took on Transaid’s latest cycle challenge, tackling a 225km journey from Dorking to the Isle of Wight and raising funds for projects in Africa.
Largest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years as landmark Bill enters Parliament
Legislation forcing large companies to pay smaller businesses on time and ending excessive delays has been introduced to Parliament.
Iran conflict drives surge in transport claims
New data from major trade credit insurer Atradius has revealed a sharp rise in claims in the transport sector for unpaid and late invoices.
M53 improvement project sparks concerns over freight delays
A three-year project to replace four ageing bridges on the M53 in Merseyside and Cheshire has raised concerns that haulage operators will endure long-term disruption and delays in the North West.
LCV operators facing increasing legal exposure as compliance bar rises
Many companies are managing their van fleets with considerably less compliance oversight than HGV operations and are risking serious legal ramifications, transport lawyers warned.
King’s Speech unveils closer ties with EU
The industry’s two main trade associations responded positively to this week’s King’s Speech, which emphasised growth through trade with Europe and addressing late payments.
Microlise CEO: Haulage held back by red tape and roadblocks
Fleet operators are still struggling to improve utilisation and cut empty running due to regulatory constraints and infrastructure limitations, Microlise chief executive Nadeem Raza has warned.
Interviews
From vans to trucks: the Dash Express journey
Paul Dash has helped grow Dash Express from a small South West van firm into a multi-depot logistics operation with a turnover topping £25m. Partnerships with APC Overnight and, more recently, Palletways have expanded the business into parcels, pallets and heavy trucks, while keeping the company’s hands-on, family-led approach.
“This changes everything” - megawatt charging for long-haul passes the test
Kempower used its MCS Live Winter Days event in Norrköping, Sweden for megawatt testing of Volvo, MAN and Scania trucks. The results show heavy-duty electric HGVs are ready for real-world operations
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Harris MAXUS expands technician training to tackle skills shortage
The Dublin-based importer has invested significantly in its training academy to meet rising demand from over 90 UK dealers, delivering structured programmes from system technician to master technician level with particular focus on electric vehicle safety and diagnostics.
Martin Willmor’s vision for DHL Supply Chain: strategy, challenges and growth targets
Returning to DHL at a pivotal moment, new UK&I CEO Martin Willmor lays out a focused five-point strategy - spanning growth sectors, transport reform, major startups and property investment - to steer the business confidently through a shifting economy
John Lewis cutting emissions today and in the future with the best technology available
The John Lewis Partnership’s fleet manager has cut transport emissions in half since 2018 by switching 500 trucks to bioCNG and trialling electric vehicles, achieving a major milestone by purchasing the company’s final diesel vehicle this year.
Hydrogen a viable option in a future multi-fuel zero carbon landscape
The HydraB group is targeting hydrogen pricing of £8/kg to 9/kg to achieve total cost of ownership parity with diesel equivalents, as CEO Harry Bowcott explains how an integrated approach across vehicle manufacturing, fuel production and infrastructure can simplify hydrogen adoption for fleet operators.
Malcolm Logistics looks for customer support for next steps on sustainability journey
Malcolm Logistics picked up the Haulier of the Year Award at the 2025 Motor Transport Awards, the second time the company has collected this coveted award.
Opinion
HGV driver market still broken despite reform efforts
A joint industry report reveals the UK HGV driver market remains structurally flawed, with insurance barriers and poor data visibility preventing newly qualified drivers from entering the workforce—even as demand shows early signs of recovery.
AI search reshapes online visibility beyond SEO budgets
AI-powered search is disrupting two decades of SEO dominance, allowing specialist operators with genuine expertise to compete for visibility against national competitors—regardless of marketing budget. But businesses that fail to adapt may lose enquiries without knowing why.
RHA demands fuel duty rebate for commercial vehicle operators
The Road Haulage Association is demanding urgent government intervention with an Essential User Rebate scheme for commercial vehicles, as operators struggle with fuel costs that have risen over 40% due to global events.
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Trade without borders – why drivers need a Schengen exemption
€505 billion. That’s the value of UK–EU goods trade – goods moved across borders by road freight.
Contracts
Sweet deal for IPP with Swizzels contract extension
Pallet pooler IPP has renewed its contract with sweet firm Swizzels, taking the long-standing partnership to over 17 years.
Primeline Group crunches ten-year deal with Tayto Snacks
Primeline Group has signed a multi-million euro warehousing and distribution agreement with Tayto Snacks, building on a long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Meachers and Ferryspeed’s partnership sails on
Meachers Global Logistics has extended its partnership with Ferryspeed with a new three-year contract.
XPO flies high with Uniload Aviation deal
XPO has been chosen by unit load devices management provider Unilode to be its global logistics partner.
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