What's New

We reported in March that Chancellor Rishi Sunak had confirmed in his Budget speech that eight locations in England had been successful in their bid to be designated freeports (see Eight English areas get freeports go-ahead).

Promoting the UK as a global hub for FinTech and digital service, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has announced a series of measures that will help boost the UK’s presence in overseas markets.

Hauliers have been advised by the Department for Transport (DfT) that, with effect from 20 April, they no longer need a Kent Access Permit (KAP) if they are driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) to the EU from the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel.

Serbia has become the latest country to agree a deal with the UK which replicates the trade benefits this country enjoyed under the agreement that the EU had negotiated with Serbia.

Major UK supermarkets and food businesses — including Co-op, Iceland and Waitrose — have joined WWF in calling for a bold and forward-looking vision for UK trade, that puts the environment and the transition to a green economy at the heart of policy.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK gross domestic product (GDP) and total exports dropped by 7.8% and 10.3% respectively in February 2021 compared to the same month last year.

According to the Trade Confidence Outlook for the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the percentage of firms reporting decreased export sales has increased to 41%, up from 38% in the previous quarter.

The Ever Given may be safely afloat, and the problems in the Suez Canal have faded from the headlines, but a leading freight transport and logistics insurer has warned that the UK, and others, will be caught in the aftermath for some time to come.

Prospects for a quick recovery in world trade have improved as merchandise trade expanded more rapidly than expected in the second half of last year, according to new estimates from the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Peel Ports London Medway will welcome a new freight-only ferry service on 1 June, with ferry operator DFDS connecting Sheerness and Calais.