Road transport has “the full support of politicians,” and the government wants an improved relationship with it, Under-Secretary of State for Transport Guy Opperman (pictured) told a parliamentary reception organised by RHA on 10 January.
Mr Opperman was a late substitute for Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper, who was called away on urgent parliamentary business. The roads minister was among around 60 MPs to attend. His words followed an earlier address by RHA Chair Moreton Cullimore, who believes that the coach and road haulage industries are “the backbone” of the UK economy.
Acknowledging that freight currently has different priorities to coach, Mr Cullimore adds that in what is likely to be an election year, politicians “at all levels” must work with those segments, and “not against them.”
The government is already investing “massively” in roads, Mr Opperman claims, adding that a significant amount of money released by the part-cancellation of HS2 will go towards them.
Ministers and politicians intend to support road transport on decarbonisation and driver facilities improvements, but Mr Opperman says that the government’s primary focus is on economic growth and its benefit to businesses.
On his position in the Department for Transport – which he joined in November 2023 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – Mr Opperman adds that he asked for the move, having previously worked on employment matters with DWP.
Meanwhile, Shadow Minister for Wales Jessica Morden echoed RHA’s existing call for reform of the Apprenticeship Levy. RHA wants the introduction of what it has termed a Skills Levy, and shorter and more flexible training to be incorporated into the approach.
Ms Morden’s Labour colleague Bill Esterson MP – who attended RHA’s gathering – earlier told routeone that thoughts within the party are around whether the Levy as it stands could be split to create a complementary stream for growth and skills.
RHA Managing Director Richard Smith has confirmed that a similar parliamentary event focused on the coach industry will be held later in 2024.
