From hostile business rates and a flawed planning system to a failure to consider the sector’s labour needs, government policy isn’t working for us. But with the prospect of a general election later this year, Baroness Scott – the minister whose portfolio includes warehousing – has advised us that political parties of all persuasions will be listening to the business community, so now is the time to speak out!
Accordingly, as the Voice of Warehousing, UKWA has a vision for a government that promotes and encourages warehousing. Our list of ‘asks’ will be unveiled in full at our Year of Warehousing National Conference in March – but here’s a sneak preview of the key points in the UKWA Manifesto.
As well as calling for overdue reform to business rates and urgent improvements to the planning system, we highlight the massive untapped potential of rooftop solar power and submit proposals on how to attract young people into warehousing.
Unfair business rates are stifling growth. While retail, hospitality and leisure sectors benefit from 75% business rate relief, no such relief exists for warehousing, despite our critical role in the economy. The government must reform the business rate valuations system in a way that treats us fairly.
On planning, policy-makers are too focused on housing supply, without proper consideration of the benefits of employment and industrial development. Each new home represents a new delivery address and warehouses are vital for local jobs too. Therefore, it is important that warehouses are built in the right place, close to conurbations and freight routes. A future government needs to recategorise warehouses as part of national infrastructure, so that local authorities can no longer exclude them from local plans.
Warehousing is also crucial to achieving the UK’s net zero commitments through the adoption of rooftop solar. The headline-grabbing findings of UKWA’s milestone report on solar power are well documented, yet despite our contribution to the government’s rooftop solar subgroup, there is still a real risk that warehousing is being overlooked in the net zero energy transformation. Our message is clear: the government needs to deliver policies that make installations as commercially viable as possible.
Furthermore, we need wholesale reform of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and their regulation by Ofgem. Under the current arrangements DNOs are obstructive, monopolistic, and run-for-profit which poses challenges for many warehouse operators seeking to improve or develop their energy infrastructure. We are asking that the government creates an environment where obtaining permission for solar projects is quick, fair and easy.
Finally, warehousing is well placed to help deliver social mobility across the UK, with job opportunities available for people of all backgrounds. The government needs to be aware of our future skills requirements, reform apprenticeships and provide better pathways into the sector. We fully support Generation Logistics and hope to see even more focus given to the importance of warehousing and logistics to the UK employment market.
Clare Bottle
UKWA, CEO
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