28th August 2026<\/p>\n
HMRC is progressing its five-year digital transformation programme, with a continued focus on greater automation, improved data use and more accessible digital services.<\/p>\n
The department’s transformation strategy includes further usability improvements across core customs services, including the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS).<\/p>\n
The programme also considers the wider application of artificial intelligence and digital processes across HMRC services. This includes opportunities to develop the Online Trade Tariff and provide more interactive support to businesses navigating commodity classification and other customs requirements.<\/p>\n
For customs brokers, software providers and supply chain operators, these developments could support more efficient processes while reinforcing the importance of accurate underlying trade and product data. Continued engagement between HMRC and industry will be important as new digital capabilities are developed and introduced.<\/p>\n
Confidence across the UK logistics sector improved during the second quarter, according to Logistics UK’s latest *Logistics Performance Tracker*. The overall business outlook increased from 5.8 to 6.5 out of 10, while the measure of financial health rose to 7.5.<\/p>\n
The improvement follows a period of increased operating costs and disruption to international shipping routes. Cost pressures nevertheless remain an important consideration, with 70.4% of respondents expecting international freight rates to increase and 67.6% anticipating higher domestic transport costs.<\/p>\n
The findings suggest improving business sentiment alongside continued caution around operating costs. Logistics UK continues to highlight the importance of a supportive policy environment in enabling the sector to invest, improve productivity and support wider economic growth.<\/p>\n
Industry organisations, including the Road Haulage Association (RHA), are engaging with local planning authorities following changes to national planning policy affecting freight infrastructure and HGV parking provision.<\/p>\n
The revised framework strengthens consideration of commercial freight requirements and driver welfare within the planning process, supporting greater recognition of the infrastructure required by the logistics sector.<\/p>\n
A particular focus is England’s estimated shortfall of approximately 11,000 overnight HGV parking spaces. Improved provision of safe and secure parking has been identified by industry as important for driver welfare, road safety and the resilience of freight operations.<\/p>\n
The revised planning framework provides greater support for considering logistics developments where there is demonstrable regional demand and strengthens the policy position around retaining existing roadside facilities. Industry bodies are now working with planning authorities and other stakeholders to support implementation at local level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
28th August 2026 \ud83d\udcccHMRC Digital Strategy Sets Direction for Smarter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,50],"tags":[107,106],"class_list":["post-7442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-regulatory-updates","tag-hgv-parking-shortage","tag-smart-borders"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7442"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7547,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7442\/revisions\/7547"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnsonline.co.uk\/cargoes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}