Peter Mckenna

Weak growth and rising energy costs continue to weigh on an economy that was already stagnating before the Iran war, and the warning signs are flashing. Inflation grew by 3.3 per cent in March according to the Office for National Statistics. This is largely due to increased fuel prices, which saw their largest increase for over three years. Commercial vehicle operators are feeling that pain, and are now paying between £350 and £400 more per week, per vehicle. Businesses already operating on razor-thin margins can ill afford such additional costs, and many simply will not survive them. Economists warn that worse is to come as the persistent jumps in energy costs have not yet fully flowed through to food prices and household bills. They will, and Government needs to act. Our own pre-budget research estimated that the knock-on impact of the planned fuel duty rise will add £2 billion to household costs annually. Other countries have stepped in to assist those industries that are crucial to the economy and the supply-chain. The UK is lagging far behind. We need the Chancellor to act now: Provide a targeted essential fuel user rebate for commercial vehicles, and any planned fuel duty hikes must be scrapped. Every day of inaction feeds directly into further inflation. You can read my latest viewpoint for @ Motor-Transport which goes into much more detail on the need for urgent Government action: RHA demands fuel duty rebate for hauliers as costs surge 40% | Motor Transport #FuelPrices #EnergyCosts #Inflation #UKEconomy #Logistics #RoadTransport

Freight crime is evolving and it’s costing our industry more than ever before. From organised crime networks to tech-enabled theft and insider risks, this is no longer a problem at the margins. It’s a growing, complex threat impacting operators, drivers, and the entire supply chain. In our next episode, I'am joined by Ashton Cull, Christopher Holloway and Nigel Collins from NaVCIS to unpack what’s really happening — and, more importantly, what we can do about it. Expect insight on: • How freight crime is changing • The real cost to businesses and people • Practical steps to reduce risk • Why collaboration across industry, government and police is critical If you caught our last episode, you’ll know we don’t shy away from the big issues and this one matters. Catch up here before the new release: roadway.podbean.com/ Full episode drops next week. Stay tuned. #FreightCrime #Logistics #Transport #SupplyChain

The TAF Best Practice Exchange is one of the key dates in the trade association calendar and tickets are now available. London - Thursday 10 September 2026 The event brings together 250+ trade associations, 60 speakers, 25+ subject sessions, and 20+ partners to share what works - practical insight, experience, and honest discussions about how we deliver more for our members and strengthen our impact. I will be there and looking forward to some straight, constructive discussion and fresh thinking from across the trade association community. If you are serious about the role trade associations play in supporting business and shaping policy - it is a must attend. Hope to see you there. For more information and to secure your place visit: tafbpex.org #TAF #TradeAssociations #BPEx

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) will be launching the RHA Wellbeing Charter on 15 July as part of its ongoing focus on wellbeing across the road transport sector bringing together key stakeholders, members, policymakers and commercial partners. This marks a 10-year industry commitment to improve the health, resilience and wellbeing of people working across the HGV, coach and van sectors. Its purpose is to position wellbeing as a strategic priority for the sector, recognising that workforce pressures, long hours, isolation, poor roadside facilities, recruitment challenges and rising operational demands all have a direct impact on people, business performance and the long-term sustainability of the industry. Built around six pillars: mental wellbeing, leadership and resilience, connecting with others, exercise, food and nutrition, and learning and development — the Charter aims to deliver one million moments of improvement across the industry over the next decade. This is about more than wellbeing. It’s about supporting the people who keep the UK moving, helping attract and retain talent, building resilience, and creating a stronger, healthier future for our sector. Through engagement, insight, and advocacy, we will work with industry and stakeholders to ensure wellbeing becomes a lasting priority. Thank you to our sponsors Backhouse Jones Solicitors , Brabners and Corpay for their support. #Wellbeing #Logistics #RoadTransport #HGV #Coach #Van #People #FutureOfTransport

The @RHANews will host a Garden Party in 2026 as part of our ongoing focus on wellbeing across the road transport sector. This initiative will provide a practical, informal setting to showcase the work underway to support people across the industry, while engaging key stakeholders on shared workforce challenges. By bringing together colleagues, members, policymakers and commercial partners, the Garden Party will support open discussion, strengthen relationships and help maintain momentum behind the wellbeing agenda. It will also create space for conversations about future collaboration and funding to sustain and grow this work. The event will also mark the launch of our Wellbeing Manifesto and our 10-year commitments to support the sector. #Collaboration

For those who know Paul Allera, he will be retiring at the end of 2026 after more than 50 years in the road transport industry. To recognise this, we have recorded a special episode of Roadway – The Podcast to highlight Paul’s career over the years, how the industry has changed since he first started, his time at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and to thank him for his hard work over the past 8 years with the RHA. We discuss technical developments, industry milestones and the challenges and opportunities ahead for operators. A fascinating conversation with someone who has genuinely helped shape the industry. The podcast will be launched on 2 March click here to follow and listen to previous episodes we have released- lnkd.in/etqRF6PH

Great to catch up with Stephen Phipson CBE from @MakeUK_ . It is always useful to compare notes and discuss the challenges facing our respective sectors, and to understand how we can collaborate further to strengthen both our voices when engaging with government by providing evidence based recommendations and support. Stephen, thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking with you again soon. #Collaboration

Podcast Launch | Roadway – The Podcast – Episode 5 We’ve just launched Episode 5 of Roadway – The Podcast: Digitising the Haulage Industry. In this episode, we are joined by John Lucy, Scott Robertson , and Craig Thompson from @Haulage_Hub Marketplace explore what digital transformation really means for the road transport industry — and how the RHA Exchange is supporting members in a practical, trusted way. The conversation covers: 🔹 Why now is a turning point for digital adoption 🔹 How technology can help reduce empty running and improve efficiency 🔹 The importance of trust, verification, and supporting hauliers of all sizes A clear, practical discussion focused on real-world challenges and solutions. Listen here mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/77sn… Watch Here: youtu.be/2G--CN-XnYw #RoadwayPodcast #DigitisingHaulage #RHAExchange #RoadTransport #Logistics #Haulage

Supporting our road transport community when it matters most The @RHANews Benevolent Fund exists to support people and families connected to the road transport industry during difficult times. Whether facing illness, injury, bereavement, or financial hardship, the fund offers practical help when it’s needed most. We’re incredibly proud of the difference it has made to hundreds of individuals across our industry. If you or someone you know could benefit from confidential, non-judgemental support — or if you’d like to get involved through fundraising — find out more below 🔗 lnkd.in/eQWPv77F Together, we can continue to look after our industry’s people

The @RHANews and other trade and #logistics groups have united to call on @EU_Commission to delay strict enforcement of 90/180 rules starting 10 April. Many UK #haulage and #coach operators won't have enough drivers. Supply chains and jobs are at risk on both sides. We're calling for: → A minimum two-year grace period on fines → Light touch enforcement at peak times → Pre-registration app for biometric data We’ve reiterated our standing call for a professional drivers’ exemption. This affects EU industries too - events, leisure, tourism. The Commission knows this (see their Visa Strategy). Stricter enforcement will risk insolvency for operators & customers. But pragmatic easements can prevent this. Let's keep people & goods moving across borders. Businesses shouldn't fail because of 90/180 rules that can be easily remedied. #RHAInternational #RHACostsAndRegulation #RHACoaches

The road transport sector is not unique in being particularly vulnerable to multiple subcontracting chains. But given the numbers of SMEs and family-run operators making up much of the industry, this longstanding issue is adding delayed payments, financial strain and legal uncertainty to operators already suffering low margins. Therefore, it’s welcome news that subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in commercial road transport has recently gained political attention at EU Commission level. Discussions focus on market fairness, contractual transparency, improved working conditions and the functioning of complex subcontracting structures. Polish operators had raised concerns about the growing number of intermediaries inserting themselves between shippers and carriers who didn’t provide any transport service themselves but took large margins from work allocated to carriers. This is an issue that will be all too familiar to UK operators. The Commission then invited member states to provide additional information to give national context to the issue, leading to calls for a European strategy focusing on intermediaries operating without responsibility and on complex subcontracting structures. The IRU reports that this evolving political context highlights road transport subcontracting chains as an increasingly prominent policy issue and emphasises the need to develop a clear and evidence-based IRU position so that it can contribute constructively to the Commission in the coming months. Mirroring the situation in the UK, subcontracting is a structural feature of the EU commercial road transport sector, with over one million operators and overwhelmingly composed of SMEs. More than 80% of these SMEs operate within subcontracting arrangements, many business models are transparent and work perfectly well for carriers and shippers, the area of concern is abusive sub-contracting and non-payment often by “phoenix” type scamming operations. Several member states have already introduced joint liability models, whereby a haulier can claim payment from upstream parties when the intermediaries default, this system appears to be working by strengthening accountability and protecting service providers without prohibiting subcontracting itself. Late payments are invariably interlinked with poor subcontracting practices and despite an existing EU late payment directive they remain a widespread problem. The EU estimates late payments tie up over EUR 100 billion in liquidity, which could otherwise support SME growth and investment, resulting in record levels of insolvency. We will monitor developments closely with the IRU and update accordingly.

Good news. Fewer lorry drivers to face fines when ‘clandestine entrants’ have been found on board their trucks after the @RHANews has led industry campaigning. The Home Office has announced that truckers working for operators signed up to the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme (CECPAS) can have their fines reduced to £0. This is when hauliers and drivers can show full compliance with the scheme’s prevention requirements. However, despite this positive step, truckers and operators still face the risk of maximum fines up to £10,000 per clandestine entrant, under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme (CECPS). That’s why we continue to call for further changes to the scheme after industry concerns about how it’s managed and the punitive fines drivers and hauliers have faced. Last year, we released our “Clandestine Entry in Road Transport and the UK response” report on how government and industry can better work together to stop people-smuggling gangs target UK-bound vehicles. We’d also engaged with Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) before they produced a critical report about the scheme – and we urged ministers to adopt their recommendations in full. This is a significant win for drivers and operators as we continue to work with officials to ensure that the CECPS treats our people fairly. #RHAInternational

Driver health is too often treated as a compliance tick-box. In reality, it’s a safety issue, a workforce issue and a business issue. Today, the @RHANews is launching new guidance to help operators take a more practical and proactive approach to driver health - supporting early conversations, recognising mental and physical wellbeing as part of fitness to drive, and going beyond minimum requirements in a way that works for their business. The Guide to Maintaining Driver Health – Keeping Drivers Fit for the Road covers mental and physical health, diet, neurodiversity and more, with a clear focus on supporting people, improving safety and strengthening retention. Driver welfare is a key focus of our Westminster Parliamentary Reception next week as we continue to make the case that healthier drivers and staff in general mean safer roads and more resilient businesses. Read the guide: rha.uk.net/Portals/0/Campaig…

The transport and logistics sector is entering its most transformative decade yet — and innovation is at the heart of it. That’s why the @RHANews Future Forum 2026 will showcase cutting-edge technologies reshaping our sector, including: 💡 On-vehicle tech 💡 AI-driven efficiency tools 💡 Emerging fuels & infrastructure 💡 Data-led compliance and safety Alongside this, we’ll be hosting interactive breakout sessions where operators, innovators, and policymakers can collaborate on the opportunities (and challenges) ahead. Join us at The Vox, Birmingham – 17 September 2026, and be part of the conversation that’s shaping the road ahead. 👉 Register here: lnkd.in/ezvK_jP6

At the @RHANews , our campaigning is guided by six clear priorities: facilities, skills, the environment, infrastructure, business across borders, and costs and regulation. They give us focus - and help us turn evidence into practical change for the industry and the wider economy. This year, that focus has delivered progress. We’ve continued to raise the profile of driver facilities and freight crime, supporting parliamentary debate on safer parking and stronger action against organised crime. On skills, we published three major reports addressing recruitment and retention. Two challenges stand out as we look to 2026: adapting to the needs of different generations, and attracting around 60,000 new lorry drivers each year to meet demand. Our Future of Fleets work highlighted the real barriers to decarbonisation - cost, infrastructure and vehicle performance - backed by more than 500 operator responses. We’ll build on this in 2026 with our payload loss findings. Infrastructure remains critical. After sustained engagement, progress on the Lower Thames Crossing and A66 marked important steps in improving network resilience and unlocking growth. On business across borders, we’ve highlighted the impact of EES and the 90/180 rule, and continue to press for a Professional Drivers’ Exemption. We also held our first International Summit and will expand our work on border security next year. And on costs and regulation, there was some positive movement - including proportionate changes to HGV speed limits in Scotland and the temporary continuation of the fuel duty freeze. Clear priorities sharpen our voice and strengthen our influence. As we head into 2026, we’ll continue working with members, policymakers and partners to support a competitive, resilient and sustainable road transport sector.