Autumn Budget 2026: Supporting transport operators must also mean investing in the people responsible for keeping them safe and compliant.

As we await this week’s Autumn Budget, businesses across the country will be watching closely to see what the Chancellor has planned.

With so much riding on the decisions made, it’s a timely opportunity to reflect on the realities businesses are experiencing and what changes could make a meaningful difference.

We asked our Director and Senior Consultant Nationwide, Michelle, to share her thoughts on the upcoming Budget, the issues she’d like to see addressed and what this could mean for the road transport industry.

Here’s what Michelle had to say:

With the Autumn Budget approaching on 28 October, I hope the Government takes a comprehensive view of the pressures facing the road transport industry, particularly the impact these pressures have on training, workforce competence and regulatory compliance.

Fuel duty will understandably be a major concern. With the temporary 5p per litre reduction due to expire at the end of December, operators need clarity on what comes next.

But fuel is only one part of a much wider financial challenge.

The Road Haulage Association’s 2025 Cost Movement Survey reported a 5.91% increase in operating costs excluding fuel, with average operating margins remaining around 2%.

Employers are also managing increased employment costs, including the rise in employer National Insurance contributions to 15% and the reduction in the secondary earnings threshold to £5,000.

For businesses operating on tight margins, these cumulative pressures affect decisions about recruitment, vehicle investment and staff development.

We’ve seen the impact of these pressures first-hand at Total Compliance. This year, we’ve experienced more clients entering administration than in any previous year, alongside an increase in businesses unable to meet their financial commitments, resulting in debts we’ve had to write off. It’s a concerning reflection of just how difficult trading conditions have become for many operators, with the continued squeeze on margins affecting businesses across the wider transport sector.

From my perspective at Total Compliance, one area I particularly hope receives attention is the industry’s ability to invest in training and maintain professional competence.

Transport operators work within a demanding regulatory environment. Operator licensing, drivers’ hours, tachograph compliance, vehicle maintenance, load security and roadworthiness all require appropriate systems, effective management and competent people.

These responsibilities do not diminish when operating costs increase.

Yet training and professional development can become harder to prioritise when businesses are under financial pressure.

The industry’s skills requirements also extend far beyond HGV drivers. We need knowledgeable transport managers, competent operational and compliance staff, vehicle technicians and people who understand the responsibilities that come with operating commercial vehicles.

The Government’s Growth and Skills Levy reforms are intended to provide more flexible training opportunities, but I would like to see greater recognition of the value of shorter vocational courses, recognised industry qualifications and continuing professional development.

Not every skills requirement can, or should, be addressed through a full apprenticeship.

At Total Compliance, we work with operators who need to understand and meet their regulatory responsibilities while managing the practical demands of running a transport business. Access to relevant, high-quality training is an important part of achieving that.

We must also consider how we attract new people into the sector.

According to the ONS, 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between April and June 2026, representing 13% of this age group.

That figure deserves attention, not because every young person will be ready or suited to a career in transport, but because we should be doing more to create accessible pathways into skilled employment.

Transport and logistics offer opportunities across driving, fleet operations, transport management, maintenance and compliance. Better connections between employers, training providers and employment support services could help more young people explore those careers.

For me, there are five areas the Budget should prioritise:

• Fuel duty and operating cost certainty, giving hauliers greater confidence to plan and invest.
• Employment and recruitment support, particularly for smaller operators facing rising wage and National Insurance costs.
• Flexible, accessible training funding, supporting apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and the continuing development of existing employees.
• Meaningful entry routes for young people, including targeted support for those not currently in education, employment or training.
• Investment in fleet safety and modernisation, recognising that changing technology and regulatory requirements bring additional training and competence needs.

It is important that compliance training is not viewed simply as an expense or a box-ticking exercise.

Effective training supports safer operations, better decision-making and a stronger understanding of legal responsibilities. It can also help operators identify weaknesses before they develop into more serious compliance problems.

But we cannot expect businesses to continually improve standards, embrace new technologies and develop the next generation of transport professionals without considering the commercial pressures they face.

A successful Budget for road transport should support the financial viability of operators while making it easier for them to invest in the skills, knowledge and competence their businesses depend upon.

That would be a meaningful step towards a safer, more resilient and sustainable transport industry.

I’d be interested to hear what other transport professionals would like to see prioritised.