Logistics leaders have warned the Welsh government is putting investment at risk after freight and logistics were omitted from the latest Welsh budget.
Business group Logistics UK is urging the Senedd to publish its long-promised freight and logistics strategy as a matter of urgency, saying the absence of the sector from budget plans fails to reflect its economic importance.
The organisation says the decision overlooks one of Wales’ largest and most critical industries, which underpins the movement of goods across the country every day.
Josh Fenton, policy manager at Logistics UK, said the lack of recognition in the budget sends the wrong signal to businesses.
“No explicit provision for freight and logistics in the final Welsh budget fails to recognise one of the country’s largest and most critical economic sectors, and risks inhibiting investment by creating uncertainty in the industry that moves all the goods Wales relies on, every day,” he said.
He pointed to the scale of the sector’s contribution, noting that thousands of firms depend on logistics activity across Wales.
“Thousands of businesses and more than 90,000 people – 6.7% of the Welsh workforce – are employed in logistics roles, and the sector contributes £3.3 billion to the Welsh economy,” Mr Fenton said.
Logistics UK said ministers have previously committed to producing a dedicated freight and logistics strategy for Wales, but no document has yet been published.
“Previously, the Welsh government has made several commitments to produce a Welsh freight and logistics strategy, but nothing has been forthcoming,” Mr Fenton said.
He added that the strategy “needs to be published as a matter of urgency so it can be delivered before the Senedd elections”.
The group said recent disruption has underlined the need for a clear, overarching plan.
“The closure of Holyhead Port following storm damage is just one recent incident that highlights the acute need for such an overarching logistics strategy to support the nation’s economic growth plans,” Mr Fenton said.
He added that securing a Welsh freight and logistics strategy remains “Logistics UK’s top priority for the next Welsh government”.