Retailers and food manufacturers call for inquiry into UK port disruption

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) have demanded an urgent inquiry into the ongoing disruption at UK ports and across the shipping market, with supply chain costs spiking by 25% week-on-week.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on carrier schedules and the shipping sector’s workforce, along with an empty container shortage, has created significant congestion at the UK’s largest container ports in the crucial run up to Christmas.

The organisations have written to Lilian Greenwood MP, chair of the commons transport select committee, and Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, chair of the commons international trade committee.