The FTA has launched a dedicated Van Policy Working Group, comprised of 41 leaders within the sector that will discuss key policy compliance issues facing van drivers and their employers.

FTA’s existing van programme includes Operational Briefings, held across the country to boost knowledge and expertise across van operators, and the Van Driver of the Year award.

The organisation says efficient logistics are vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. 

It says its decision to great the new Working group has been driven in no small part by Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. 

Elizabeth de Jong, Director of UK Policy at FTA, said: “As the number of vans on the UK’s roads continues to soar, it is vital the interests of individuals and businesses operating these vehicles are represented with stakeholders and government. The creation of a Van Policy Working Group reinforces FTA’s commitment to the market.  As logistics needs change, and vans become increasingly important to UK PLC, this will mean FTA is perfectly placed to lead this sector forwards to even greater success.

“The new Van Policy Working Group represents just one initiative in FTA’s rich programme of activity. And with many new projects in the pipeline, including the development of a specialist emission zone advice service, FTA has positioned itself at the forefront of this burgeoning sector.”

“Over the past 12 months, the number of van drivers in the UK has increased by more than 12% and together, they cover 51 billion miles a year. With this growth comes the need to evaluate current safety, compliance and efficiency standards and drive improvements wherever necessary. The Van Policy Working Group provide a vital mouthpiece for the industry with government, regulators and other stakeholders and provide a platform to communicate and debate the issues the market is facing.  Van drivers and operators provide a vital service to the UK economy; their contributions must be valued and their concerns and hopes for the future heard and acted upon.”

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay