The UK government has formally added logistics to Keir Mather’s Department for Transport (DfT) ministerial title following sustained calls from industry for the sector to have greater representation within government.
Mather remains Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the DfT, but his title has changed from Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation to Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics.
The change was not separately announced during the government’s latest round of ministerial appointments. Mather was instead listed as remaining a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the DfT, without a specific portfolio being given.
Mather has since confirmed the new title himself, saying logistics had not always had a clearly identifiable champion within government.
Writing on LinkedIn, he said: “It’s a simple change, but one that shows how serious I am about putting the logistics sector at the heart of government.”
He also thanked Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and other organisations that had campaigned for the change.
The change in title does not represent an entirely new logistics brief for Mather. Freight and borders were already among his responsibilities under his previous ministerial portfolio. However, the explicit inclusion of logistics in his title gives the sector greater visibility within government.
His current responsibilities include freight and borders, aviation, Heathrow expansion, maritime, international transport, security and resilience, and sustainable aviation fuel.
Logistics UK welcomed the move, describing it as recognition of the importance of logistics to the wider UK economy.
Chief executive Ben Fletcher said: “Minister Mather has always been a great champion of our industry’s work, and we welcome his appointment to oversee engagement with our vital industry.
“For some time, we have been urging government to appoint a specialist logistics minister and recognise the value that our industry contributes to the smooth operation of UK PLC.
“The expansion of Mr Mather’s role now demonstrates the critical role that logistics can play in the rejuvenation of the UK’s economy and shows that the government is listening to us.”
According to Logistics UK, the sector contributes £175bn in gross value added to the UK economy each year, employs 8% of the workforce and enables more than £1tn of international trade annually.
The organisation also cited research by Oxford Economics which found that improvements in logistics productivity could boost UK economic growth by a further £8bn a year.
The RHA has also welcomed the move following campaigning through the Alliance of Logistics Trade Associations (ALTA).
RHA managing director Richard Smith said: “I’m pleased to see a dedicated Minister for Logistics now in place.
“Logistics is fundamental to the UK economy. It connects businesses, communities and people, enables trade, supports growth and keeps the country moving.
“Having clear ministerial focus provides an important opportunity to ensure our sector has a strong voice at the heart of government.”
Smith said the RHA now wanted to work with Mather on infrastructure investment, skills, decarbonisation, driver facilities, international trade, regulation and the cost pressures facing operators.
The organisation will also continue to call for a National Freight Plan that recognises logistics as critical national infrastructure and provides businesses with greater long-term certainty to invest.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) also welcomed the change, saying it looks forward to working with Mather to ensure the voice of the UK freight forwarding and logistics sector is heard across government.
Calls for dedicated ministerial representation for logistics predate the current government.
In March 2024, 11 logistics trade associations jointly urged the UK’s political parties to establish a dedicated logistics minister with cross-government responsibilities.
The coalition included Logistics UK, the RHA, BIFA, the UK Warehousing Association, British Ports Association, UK Major Ports Group, Cold Chain Federation, Rail Freight Group, Association of Pallet Networks, British Association of Removers and Association of International Courier & Express Services.
At the time, the organisations called for the minister to be supported by a Cabinet Office structure capable of coordinating logistics policy across Whitehall.
Mather’s new position does not go quite as far as that proposal. Logistics remains part of a wider DfT portfolio alongside aviation and maritime rather than becoming a standalone, cross-government ministerial role.
Nevertheless, its formal inclusion in a ministerial title represents a significant change for an industry that has long argued that its economic importance should be more clearly reflected within government.
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