• Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • The UK Ports Industry
    • Port Skills and Safety
    • British Ports Association
    • Other Partner Organisations
  • Policies
    • Safety
    • Environment
    • Local communities
    • Developing skills
    • EU
    • Working with Devolved Administrations
    • Road and Rail Links to Ports
  • Ports
  • News
    • UKMPG News
    • Members News
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Members
    • Log In
    • Log Out

UK Major Ports Group

UK Major Ports

UKMPG launches manifesto at party conferences

September 30, 2014 by Lianne Stephens

The United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG) has launched a new manifesto - Ports4Prosperity - for the UK ports industry at the recent party conferences in Manchester and Birmingham. A copy of the manifesto can be downloaded here.

Representing 41 of the UK's major ports, UKMPG is calling on the Government to work with the ports sector to support UK industry.

UK ports play a huge role in delivering national prosperity; 95% of the nation's trade in goods is moved by sea. UK ports support 400,000 jobs and contribute over £21 billion to the economy every year.

The manifesto sets out five key points. It urges the Government to ensure the EU works for, not against, UK ports. The proposed EU Port Services Regulation is a major threat to the nation's ports industry and the launch of the manifesto coincides with industry calls for the Government to defend the national interest by blocking or exempting the UK from the European Commission's plans. Resolving the issue is now a race against time with the Italian Presidency aiming to reach a political agreement by 8 October.

The manifesto also appeals for a joined up approach across Government; better road and rail links; support for training and continuous improvement of health and safety; and a better land and marine planning system which will allow ports to invest when and where necessary.

The Rt Hon John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Transport with responsibility for ports, welcomed the manifesto and said:

"This Government recognises that the UK ports sector is an important contributor to our economic growth. I am proud to have forged such a close partnership with the sector through the strategic partnership plan for ports developed jointly with industry and across government. I commend the work of UKMPG in delivering our shared goals."

Speaking at the launch event at the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, Shadow Minister for Transport Gordon Marsden MP said

"I was delighted to help launch the Ports for Prosperity manifesto which is full of laudable measures to help us recognise ports as the great economic assets they are. We need national and local governments to put ports at the heart of intelligent, long-term planning. But even more pressing today is the need for ministers to be robust in Europe and stop new regulations placing unnecessary burdens on our vibrant, competitive ports and jeopardising the working conditions of those employed within them."

UKMPG Executive Director Richard Bird said:

"Ports are vital for the UK but do not always receive the attention they deserve. We do not look for subsidy but need Government support in other ways so we can continue to provide the high quality and competitive service our customers and the country rightly demand."

Filed Under: News

Sign Up For Updates

Add your email address to be notified whenever we post news updates.

Events

March 2021
MTWTFSS
« Feb   Apr »
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31     

Recent News

UK Major Ports Group comments on Freeports and other aspects of the Budget

UK Major Ports Group comments on Freeports and other aspects of the Budget

March 3, 2021 By Lianne Stephens

Commitment to Sustainable Freeports

Commitment to Sustainable Freeports

January 18, 2021 By Lianne Stephens

BLOG: Five Trends for UK Ports in 2021

BLOG: Five Trends for UK Ports in 2021

January 13, 2021 By Lianne Stephens

UK Major Ports Group comments on current COVID-19 border congestion

December 21, 2020 By Lianne Stephens

About UK Major Ports Group

The United Kingdom Major Ports Group Ltd (UKMPG) was formed in 1993 and is the trade association representing most of the larger commercial ports in the United Kingdom. It has nine members who, between them, own and operate over 40 ports, accounting for more than 70% of the total tonnage handled in UK ports. … Continue Reading

Latest Tweets

  • We welcome announcement of locations for next generation freeports in England. It’s good to see ambitious & excitin… https://t.co/N9x6OioQqD March 3, 2021 2:45 pm
  • Trade across the Irish Sea, with Brexit controls already on both sides, is an interesting precursor to 1 July in GB… https://t.co/6nb1JwN6m7 March 3, 2021 9:52 am
  • Good to talk #freeports with @carolewalkercw going out on @TimesRadio later this evening - what it means for the UK… https://t.co/PJ2tdDYoA9 March 2, 2021 8:30 pm
  • Pleased to be part of the #GlobalTravelTaskforce meeting today. Still a lot of work to do, but groups across the tr… https://t.co/ohW79KK734 March 2, 2021 3:15 pm
  • Follow us on Twitter

Contact Us

UK Major Ports Group
1st Floor
30 Park Street
London
SE1 9EQ

Tel. +44 (0) 20 7260 1785

Copyright © 2021 · UK Major Ports Group · Built by Blue Pie Media

This site uses cookies: Find out more.