There are reasons to be cheerful about the UK, says leading ecommerce logistics expert
Matthew Ware, CEO at Mark 3 International, recognises the economy is facing tough times, but says the UK can thrive by driving trade.
With the resignation of Kier Starmer and his presumed successor Andy Burnham yet to set out his vision for the country, domestic economic uncertainty is adding to the still-turbulent global picture. But Matthew Ware, CEO at leading ecommerce logistics firm Mark 3 International, says trade will ultimately secure our future.
Inflation appears to be stalling (2.8% in the year to May 2026) while productivity is on the up and the public finances are broadly improving. What’s more, there are a number of initiatives and discussions taking place, including the expected agreement between the UK and Japan which will create tens of thousands of new jobs and more than £18bn in economic gains.
Matthew Ware noted; It’s easy to get the impression that it’s all doom and gloom facing the UK, especially if you subscribe to feverish tabloid headlines”, but our ability to trade means we will thrive, despite changes at the top of government and continuing global uncertainty.”
Much of the narrative surrounding UK Plc has been negative, painting an overly gloomy picture of the economy’s true condition, and failing to recognise our long, successful history as global traders.
Matthew continued, “While countless headlines have berated the state of the economy, and focused on the power struggle for Number 10, it may feel as though things are getting worse for the UK, in reality, there are still a lot of opportunities and better times are on the horizon.”
According to ONS data, GDP grew by 0.5% in the three months to January 2026, and a further 0.5% in February of this year. Services output grew by 0.5%. It goes on to add that “Production output grew by 1.3%; this follows a growth of 1.2% in the three months to December 2025.”
Matthew noted, “The UK is clearly still an economic force to be reckoned with, and while times are hard for many, a significant proportion of the UK’s financial woes come not from British policy, but from those further afield. The good news is these appear to be in the process of being somewhat fixed.
“Post-Brexit and recent American trade interventions have caused significant issues for British exporters. The global trading ecosystem is vast, complex, and highly competitive, so when trade is disrupted through efforts like tariff manipulation, there are serious consequences. That said, even in the face of such challenges, trade continues.”
While the government is rebuilding bridges with the EU for closer alignment with the continent, part of the Brexit fallout included trade tariffs. According to the House of Commons Library, “In 2024, goods exports to the EU were 18% below their 2019 level in real terms. It is important to point out, however, that goods exports to the EU were growing slowly before Brexit and the pandemic.”
A report by KPMG also noted that the “introduction of tariffs between the UK and EU represents a significant cost and competition issue for UK exporters accustomed to duty-free sales of goods to EU customers (and vice versa).”
Matthew concludes, “Yes, there are serious issues which the economy must overcome, but the gap between reality and public perception must be brought back into equilibrium. The UK still has a lot to offer the world, and if we can create a trade environment more closely aligned with that of a decade ago, then brighter days will surely return.”