FET Logistics at the Palace of Westminster: Advocating for UK Supply Chain Security

A Night of Collaboration at the RHA Parliamentary Reception

The UK road haulage industry is the lifeblood of the national economy. To celebrate its vital role and discuss the challenges ahead, TAPA EMEA’s UK Regional Lead and FET Logistics Managing Director, Harry Hughes, joined Members of Parliament and Department for Transport (DfT) officials at the Palace of Westminster for the annual RHA Parliamentary Reception.

Hosted by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), a key partner of TAPA EMEA, the evening provided a prestigious platform to network with industry colleagues and politicians. The focus was clear: how we can work together to protect the assets, drivers, and infrastructure that keep the UK moving.

The Freight Crime Bill: A New Era for Cargo Security

One of the most significant highlights of the evening was the opportunity to engage with Rachel Taylor MP, the proposer of the new Freight Crime Bill.

As cargo theft becomes increasingly sophisticated, this Bill represents a landmark shift in how the UK handles logistics security. FET Logistics and TAPA EMEA fully support the Bill’s core objectives:

• Specific Classification: Formally tracking "freight theft" as a distinct crime.
• Data Improvement: Enhancing the quality of intelligence to better understand crime patterns.
• Increased Penalties: Creating a stronger deterrent against organised crime groups (OCGs).
• Support for Policing: Strengthening specialised police units dedicated to tackling high-value cargo crime.

The Economic Weight of Road Haulage

The reception served as a timely reminder of the sheer scale and importance of the industry Harry represents. The statistics speak for themselves:

• 89% of all UK freight is moved by road.
• 1.86 million people are employed within the sector.
• £13.5 billion is contributed annually to the UK economy (representing 5.6% of GDP).
• Over 625,000 vehicles are currently operated by more than 58,000 enterprises across the country.

With such a significant portion of the UK’s GDP on the road, the need for security-led logistics has never been more critical.

FET Logistics: Leading from the Front

At FET Logistics, we don’t just follow industry standards; we help shape them. Harry Hughes’ dual role as a business leader and a TAPA UK Regional Lead ensures that our clients benefit from the most current intelligence and security protocols available.

Events like the RHA Parliamentary Reception highlight the synergy between industry expertise and legislative support. As risks continue to evolve, FET Logistics remains committed to intelligence-led security, ensuring that the supply chains we manage remain resilient, secure, and efficient.

We would like to extend our special thanks to the RHA for inviting TAPA EMEA to participate in such an informative and valuable event at the heart of the UK government.

Is your supply chain protected against the rising risk of freight crime? Contact the FET Logistics team to learn about our TAPA-standard security solutions.