A new policy era?

While the Government's immediate focus has been on demonstrating a desire to support households with the cost of living, ministers have been equally clear that long-term prosperity will be driven by economic growth, industrial renewal, energy security and stronger regional economies. 

These priorities speak directly to the role shipping already plays across the UK – our industry enables over £1 trillion of UK trade annually, supports coastal and regional communities, and underpins both energy and supply chain resilience. 

In our engagement with the new Cabinet and Ministerial teams we have highlighted the central role of shipping and set out recommendations for a policy and regulatory framework that can enable these shared objectives. 

Alongside these domestic priorities, the Chamber has highlighted industry concerns on international law, freedom of navigation and the rules-based trading system upon which global trade depends. 

“Andy’s Team” – Continuity and Change

The reshuffle brings both continuity and change. Heidi Alexander remains Secretary of State for Transport, and Keir Mather has also now been confirmed as Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security providing familiar points of engagement for the Chamber thanks to our established relationships with the Department for Transport (DfT). 

Notably responsibility for maritime decarbonisation is moved elsewhere in DfT and across DESNZ, and the return of security to Minister Mather’s brief may reflect the increased focus on resilience, supply chain security, critical infrastructure and freedom of navigation. 

Beyond the DfT, several appointments will shape the policy environment for shipping. 

Louise Haigh's move to the Cabinet Office reinforces the importance of cross-government engagement on issues such as resilience, border processes and public service delivery. 

Jonathan Reynolds' expanded business, innovation, science and trade portfolio places industrial strategy at the centre of government thinking, creating opportunities to position shipping as enabling infrastructure that supports manufacturing, exports, energy, defence, food security and investment across the UK economy.

Energy policy will also be a major area of focus. Miatta Fahnbulleh's appointment at DESNZ, alongside Michael Shanks remaining in post, will be particularly important as decisions are taken on offshore renewables, maritime decarbonisation and the future of the North Sea. Fahnbulleh's decision to make the Port of Aberdeen the destination of one of her first ministerial visits was notable given the significant decisions facing government on offshore energy, jobs and investment. For UK Chamber members, maintaining close engagement with DESNZ will be critical as these decisions develop and their implications for energy supply chains become clearer.

Resetting the reset

International engagement will also be high on the agenda. With Ed Miliband moving to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Anas Sarwar taking responsibility for trade, and Hamish Falconer taking on a leading role in UK-EU negotiations, the government's much-trailed "EU reset" enters a crucial phase. 

A UK-EU summit is widely expected in late October or early November, with discussions likely to focus on practical measures that support growth and trade, including emissions trading, border processes and regulatory cooperation. For shipping, these discussions could prove particularly significant, especially around potential UK-EU ETS linkage, market competitiveness and wider efforts to reduce friction at the border.

The voice of industry

Over the coming months, the Chamber's focus will be on championing members within the new administration and promoting shipping as essential enabling infrastructure that supports growth, trade, energy security, connectivity, resilience and the UK's international leadership. As policy development continues, we will also work to ensure the voice of the industry, and our insights and expertise are represented across Whitehall as decisions are made. 

With the Government's priorities increasingly focused on growth, security and competitiveness, there is a significant opportunity to place shipping at the heart of the national conversation.

For more information on the UK Chamber’s public affairs and engagement work or a more detailed breakdown of the new Government agenda and figures, please contact Harry.