Organisers of the 2013 Commercial Vehicle Show hosted a roundtable discussion with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP.

The Minister made it clear that he was attending the meeting to listen to the industry and that he would not be able to make any firm promises.

Attended by members from each of the bodies representing the Show Partnership, the range of issues raised included covering areas such as the use of alternative fuels, capital allowances, creating incentives for haulage companies to expand their operations and the usual dilemma of how to encourage young people into the industry. Discussions also included reducing corporation tax, the image of the workforce and, of course, the issue of road safety, particularly in relation to other road users.

McLoughlin said; “It's been fantastic to come here to the Commercial Vehicle Show and see some of the cutting edge technology at work in today's logistics industry. 

“It's also given me the opportunity to hear direct from operators, manufacturers and engineers, and that is invaluable, given the huge importance of haulage and logistics to the nation's economy.”