The Road Haulage Association has implored the Government to do more to save thousands of logistics firms who face ruin as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett warned that with no further government action a predicted widescale business collapse could reduce logistics capacity by as much as 50 percent.

He said this would likely make it impossible for the sector to meet demand to fuel the economy’s recovery effort.

In an industry-backed letter to prime minister he set out a series of measures to help firms get through the pandemic and into the recovery phase including: grant funding, a fuel duty rebate and improvements to furlough rules.

“At this time of national emergency our sector is doing everything it can to ensure critical supplies get to where they need to be,” said Mr Burnett.

“We recognise that we need to play the fullest role possible in the UK’s recovery and these measures would ensure we can do just that.”

A recent RHA survey found that 46 percent of the UK’s truck fleet is not operating and 25 percent of drivers are furloughed.

RHARoad Haulage Association

About the Author: John Loughran