UK government accused of 'spin-doctoring of the highest order' over freight movement

© Rodolphe Trider

Allegations of “spin doctoring” have been levelled at the UK government over its reporting of empty freight movements and the country’s capacity to handle additional customs work.

Despite being sanctioned by the UK Statistics Authority over use of unpublished and unverifiable data, the Cabinet Office has continued to stand by figures that suggest empty movements across the short straits average about 30% in “normal times”.

The figure came with a strenuous denial of a Road Haulage Association (RHA) claim that 65%-75% of ...