United Kingdom · Operations · Senior (5-8 years)

Senior Transport Planner

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

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Where should we send it?

One email: what AI is changing in this job, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

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  • Experience bandSenior (5-8 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toTransport Manager
  • UK framework levelUsually a professional owning their own work, or leading a small team

Also advertised as Logistics Specialist · Supply Chain Optimisation Planner · Transport Operations Lead

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

SFEDI Awards Level 5 Diploma in Manufacturing and Production Management (IoSCM) SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Transport Planning Pearson Education Ltd · Level 3 · covers 5 of 10 standards
ProQual Level 2 Certificate in Driving Rigid Goods Vehicles ProQual Awarding Body · Level 2 · covers 1 of 10 standards
Highfield Level 3 Diploma In Driving Goods Vehicles (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Effective Management of Transport SFEDI Awards Level 5 Diploma in Manufacturing and Production Management (IoSCM)
Principles of Changing Travel Behaviour Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Transport Planning
Developing a procurement plan and optimising supplier and service provider performance in the workplace NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management (Construction)
Plan the route and timings for the collection and delivery of goods ProQual Level 2 Certificate in Driving Rigid Goods Vehicles
Routing and scheduling of loads Highfield Level 3 Diploma In Driving Goods Vehicles (RQF)
Plan, allocate and monitor work of a team EAL Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Senior Transport Planner

6 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Effective Management of Transport SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  2. Principles of Changing Travel Behaviour Pearson Education Ltd · covers 5 of 10 standards Level 3
  3. Developing a procurement plan and optimising supplier and service provider performance in the workplace NOCN · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 6
  4. Plan the route and timings for the collection and delivery of goods ProQual Awarding Body · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 2
  5. Routing and scheduling of loads Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  6. Plan, allocate and monitor work of a team Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Senior Transport Planner?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • Prompt Engineering & LLM Integration
  • Carbon Footprint Optimisation
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Senior Transport Planner plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

3What this role really is

A senior transport planner works out how goods move from A to B on time and within budget. The work covers tricky logistical problems, cost savings, and keeping customers satisfied. You own specific transport lanes or projects, often the more complex ones, and other planners come to you when they are stuck. Decisions in this role affect service and cost directly.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) / SAP TM Expert

Configuring routing guides, building complex multi-leg shipments, troubleshooting system errors, training junior staff on advanced features, extracting data for analysis.

Paragon / Descartes / PTV Route Optimizer Advanced

Building new routing models from scratch, running 'what-if' scenarios for cost/service optimisation, integrating with TMS for execution, training others on its use.

Geotab / Samsara / project44 (Telematics & Visibility) Advanced

Creating custom geofences and alerts, analysing driver behaviour data to improve efficiency, building performance dashboards, using real-time data for proactive problem-solving.

SAP S/4HANA (Logistics Module) / Oracle NetSuite Intermediate

Understanding the end-to-end data flow between sales orders, warehouse picks, and transport plans. Identifying and troubleshooting data discrepancies that affect planning.

Mastering Power Query for data cleaning and transformation, using the Solver Add-in for complex optimisation problems, building sophisticated cost models and ad-hoc reports.

Power BI / Tableau Advanced

Connecting to various data sources, building new, interactive dashboards from scratch to monitor KPIs, presenting insights to stakeholders, and teaching junior staff how to use existing dashboards.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Carrier Selection for Routine Loads Selects from pre-approved list, supervisor reviews. Independently selects from approved list, escalates non-standard requests. Independently selects and negotiates spot rates within defined parameters; recommends new carriers for specific lanes to manager.
Route Optimisation & Consolidation Executes pre-defined routes, makes minor manual adjustments with guidance. Independently optimises routine routes, proposes consolidation opportunities. Designs and implements new complex consolidation strategies; leads 'what-if' scenario planning for specific lanes.
Handling Transport Disruptions Identifies disruption, immediately escalates to supervisor. Identifies disruption, proposes 2-3 solutions to manager for approval. Independently assesses disruption, develops and executes contingency plan, informs manager and stakeholders proactively.
Process Improvement Initiatives Identifies minor inefficiencies, suggests to supervisor. Proposes and implements small process improvements for own tasks. Leads small-to-medium scale process improvement projects for specific workstreams, involving other team members.
Mentorship & Training Receives training and guidance. Provides informal advice to new joiners. Formally mentors 1-2 junior planners, conducts code reviews, provides structured guidance and feedback.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Accessorial Spend Reduction
Reducing the 'hidden' costs of transport like detention, demurrage, and re-delivery fees.
Target · Reduce by 10% year-on-year for managed lanes.

If last year's detention charges on the Glasgow-London lane were £5,000, you'd aim for £4,500 or less this year by improving scheduling and communication.

Load Consolidation Savings
Identifying opportunities to combine smaller shipments (LTL/PTL) into more cost-effective full truckloads (FTL) or multi-stop routes.
Target · Generate £100,000+ in annualised savings through new consolidation initiatives.

Converting 20 weekly LTL shipments from Manchester to Bristol into 5 multi-stop FTLs, saving £2,000 per week, adds up to over £100,000 annually.

On-Time, In-Full (OTIF) Performance
Ensuring deliveries arrive at the right place, at the right time, with the correct goods, especially for complex or critical shipments you're managing.
Target · Achieve >98% OTIF for all loads on your primary lanes.

Out of 100 critical deliveries to a key customer last month, 99 arrived on time and complete, hitting 99% OTIF.

Mentee Development & Proficiency
Successfully guiding and bringing junior planners up to speed, reducing their reliance on senior support.
Target · Successfully onboard and train 1-2 junior planners to full independent proficiency within 12 months.

Your mentee, who joined 6 months ago, can now independently plan and execute routine daily routes without needing you to double-check every booking.

Problem-Solving Effectiveness
Your ability to quickly diagnose transport issues, develop sound contingency plans, and communicate them clearly to relevant parties.
  • You're the first person the Transport Manager calls when a major disruption hits. You present clear, data-backed solutions, not just problems. Your contingency plans are robust and rarely need further intervention.
Process Improvement & Innovation
Identifying inefficiencies in current planning processes and proposing or implementing practical improvements.
  • You've led at least one small project to streamline a planning workflow or reduce manual effort. You regularly suggest new ways of working that get adopted by the team. You're not afraid to challenge 'how we've always done it'.
Stakeholder Trust & Collaboration
Building strong working relationships with internal teams (e.g., Warehouse, Sales) and external partners (carriers), ensuring smooth information flow and mutual support.
  • Warehouse managers proactively share their capacity issues with you. Sales trusts your delivery estimates. Carriers see you as a fair and reliable partner. You get positive feedback from peers and external contacts.
Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing
Actively sharing your expertise with junior team members, helping them develop their skills and confidence.
  • Junior planners regularly seek your advice. You run informal training sessions or create helpful guides. Your mentees show clear progress and feel supported. You're seen as a helpful, approachable expert.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Solving Complex Puzzles

You get a real buzz from taking a messy set of orders, tight delivery windows, and limited carrier options, and figuring out the optimal way to get everything delivered. It's like a daily game of Tetris, but with real trucks and real money.

You're given 15 urgent deliveries across the South East, all with different time slots and vehicle requirements. You spend an hour in the route planner, juggling, calling carriers, and come out with a plan that gets everything done on time and under budget.

Seeing Direct Impact & Saving Money

You love seeing your planning decisions directly translate into lower costs, fewer empty miles, or a smoother operation. Knowing your work has a tangible financial benefit is a big driver for you.

You implement a new consolidation strategy for a specific lane, and the next month's report shows a 15% reduction in cost per pallet. That's your work, right there.

Mentoring & Developing Others

You enjoy sharing your knowledge and helping junior planners navigate the complexities of transport. Seeing them 'get it' and become more independent is genuinely satisfying.

A junior planner comes to you with a tricky international shipment. You walk them through the Incoterms, customs documentation, and carrier selection, and they successfully execute it on their own the next time.

What frustrates people
  • The Sales vs. Ops Conflict: Being told by Sales they've promised a customer next-day delivery on a 3-day lane, and now you have to be the 'bad guy' or pay a fortune to make it happen. It's a constant battle.
  • Carrier Ghosting: Having a driver confirmed for a critical pickup, only for them to disappear and stop answering their phone an hour before arrival. Then you're scrambling to find a replacement.
  • Warehouse Bottlenecks: Meticulously planning a schedule of trucks arriving, only to have them all backed up for hours because the warehouse is short-staffed or disorganised. Guess who gets the angry calls from the drivers?
  • 'Garbage In, Garbage Out': Spending hours cleaning up incorrect addresses, weights, and dimensions in the TMS because the master data is a mess, causing all your automated plans to fail. Your tools are only as good as the data you feed them.
  • The Friday Afternoon Scramble: Trying to find a reliable carrier for a cross-country load at 4 PM on a Friday before a bank holiday weekend. It's a seller's market, and you're going to pay for it, probably with your sanity.
  • Arguing Over Pennies: Spending 30 minutes on the phone with a carrier's accounts department disputing a £75 detention charge that you have proof is invalid. It's tedious, but necessary.
  • Being the Scapegoat: When a delivery is late due to a production delay, a snowstorm, or a traffic jam, the first person everyone looks to blame is the transport planner. You learn to deflect gracefully.
What this role does not give you
  • A completely predictable daily routine—expect the unexpected, usually around 3 PM.
  • A quiet, isolated environment—you'll be on the phone, in meetings, and constantly communicating.
  • The ability to control every variable—some things, like traffic and weather, are just out of your hands.
  • A role where every single one of your brilliant plans goes off without a hitch—the real world is messier than that.

8Who you work with

This role directly impacts our operational efficiency and profitability. Your ability to plan effectively means we spend less on transport, avoid costly delays, and maintain strong relationships with our carriers. You're essentially a linchpin, making sure the physical flow of goods aligns with our commercial promises. Get it right, and you'll free up significant capital; get it wrong, and the costs can quickly spiral, affecting everything from production schedules to customer loyalty.

Inside the business
  • Warehouse Operations Leads
  • Sales & Customer Service Teams
  • Procurement & Inventory Planning
  • Finance Business Partners
  • Junior Transport Planners
Outside the business
  • Core Carrier Account Managers
  • Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers
  • Customs Brokers (for international movements)
  • Key Suppliers & Customers (occasionally for specific issues)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • At least 5 years of hands-on experience in a dedicated transport planning or logistics role, ideally within a fast-moving goods or complex manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrable experience in optimising routes, consolidating loads, and managing carrier relationships for specific lanes or regions.
  • Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex logistical problems independently, often under tight deadlines.
  • Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel proficiency and experience building dashboards in Power BI or Tableau.
  • Experience in mentoring or guiding junior team members, even if informally, is a must.
  • A solid understanding of Transport Management Systems (TMS) – you've been using one day-in, day-out for years.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced TMS Configuration & Integration

As our business grows and our systems become more complex, you'll need to move beyond just using the TMS to actively shaping its configuration. This means understanding how it integrates with other systems and how to optimise its rulesets.

API Integrations (Basic) · Rule Engine Logic · Data Model Understanding

  • This week: Review the current configuration documents for our primary TMS lanes.
  • This month: Shadow an IT colleague during a TMS integration or configuration change.
  • Month 2: Take ownership of updating a specific routing guide or carrier selection rule within the TMS.
  • Month 3: Propose a small TMS enhancement that would automate a manual task you currently do.

Quick win: Get to know the IT team who supports the TMS. They're a goldmine of information on how the system actually works behind the scenes.

Predictive Analytics for Disruption Management

Moving from reactive firefighting to proactive prevention is the holy grail. We'll be using more sophisticated models to predict potential disruptions before they happen, allowing us to reroute or re-plan much earlier.

Time Series Forecasting (Basic) · Anomaly Detection · Scenario Modelling

  • This week: Read an introductory article on time series forecasting in logistics.
  • This month: Work with the Data team (if we have one) to understand how they build predictive models.
  • Month 2: Start collecting and analysing data on common disruption types and their impact on our operations.
  • Month 3: Propose a simple predictive dashboard that could flag potential issues 24-48 hours in advance.

Quick win: Keep a log of every major disruption you face for a month. Note the cause, impact, and how much warning you had. This data is gold for future prediction.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Attend industry webinars and conferences (e.g., Multimodal, Logistics UK events) to stay current on market trends and new technologies.
  • Participate in online courses or workshops focused on advanced Excel, Power BI, or specific TMS functionalities.
  • Engage with carrier account managers to understand their operational challenges and new service offerings.
  • Seek out opportunities to mentor junior colleagues and share your expertise within the team.
  • Read industry publications and whitepapers on topics like sustainable logistics, last-mile delivery, and supply chain resilience.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Prompt Engineering & LLM Integration

Our competitors are already using tools like ChatGPT and similar large language models (LLMs) to draft reports, summarise carrier performance data, and even generate initial route proposals in minutes. Planners who master this will outproduce their peers by a significant margin.

  • Context Windows & Token Limits
  • Temperature Settings for Tasks
  • RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation)
  • Output Validation & Hallucination Detection

Carbon Footprint Optimisation

Sustainability isn't just a 'nice to have' anymore; it's a critical business driver. Customers, investors, and regulators are demanding lower emissions. Transport planners will be on the front line of reducing our carbon footprint, not just our costs.

  • Emissions Measurement Methodologies
  • Alternative Fuels & Vehicle Technologies
  • Sustainable Route Planning Algorithms
  • Carbon Insetting/Offsetting

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Load Optimisation & Consolidation
  • Network Design & Modelling (Basic)
  • Carrier Management & Sourcing
  • Incoterms & Customs Compliance
  • Demand & Capacity Planning (Operational)
  • Lean Logistics & Continuous Improvement

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    From Transport Planner (L2)

    2-3 years as a Mid-Level Planner

    Skills to master

    • Consistently hitting OTIF targets, independently managing a specific region or mode, demonstrating strong problem-solving for routine issues, and showing initiative in process improvement.

    You're ready to move on when

    • You're the person others go to for advice on routine problems.
    • You've successfully taken ownership of a specific lane or project from start to finish.
    • You're actively looking for ways to improve existing processes, not just follow them.
    • You've shown a willingness to mentor new starters informally.
  2. 2

    From Logistics Coordinator / Specialist (External)

    5-7 years experience in a similar role at another company, managing complex operations.

    Skills to master

    • A strong track record of managing specific transport operations, optimising routes, and handling carrier relationships. Demonstrable experience with TMS and data analysis.

    You're ready to move on when

    • You can articulate specific examples of how you've saved money or improved service in previous roles.
    • You're comfortable taking the lead on complex tasks without constant supervision.
    • You've worked with various carrier types and understand market dynamics.
    • You're keen to share your expertise and learn our specific ways of working.
  3. 3

    From Supply Chain Analyst (with Transport Focus)

    4-6 years experience with a strong emphasis on transport data and optimisation.

    Skills to master

    • Deep analytical skills, particularly in transport cost modelling, network analysis, and performance reporting. Must also have practical operational experience.

    You're ready to move on when

    • You've built complex transport cost models or optimisation tools.
    • You understand the operational implications of your analytical recommendations.
    • You're keen to get more hands-on with the daily planning and execution.
    • You can translate data insights into actionable operational plans.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to managing a team of planners, setting transport strategy across a business, or specialising as a logistics architect focused on system design.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Senior Transport Planner is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Effective Management of Transport, worked against Senior Transport Planner.

Effective Management of Transport Level 5

Applied to your work in Senior Transport Planner

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to understand the purpose of transport planning, including the impact of historical developments and sustainability principles. Learners will also understand the key drivers behind transport demand and the challenges associated with freight movement.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Senior Transport Planner
  • Load Optimisation & Consolidation
  • Network Design & Modelling (Basic)
  • Carrier Management & Sourcing
  • Incoterms & Customs Compliance
  • Demand & Capacity Planning (Operational)
  • Lean Logistics & Continuous Improvement
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Senior Transport Planner is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Lead Transport Planner / Logistics Analyst (L4)

    3-5 years in the Senior Transport Planner role.

    This is a significant step up, moving from owning complex workstreams to architecting solutions and potentially leading a small team or specific projects.

    • Designing and implementing new routing solutions across the entire network.
    • Acting as the subject matter expert for TMS implementations or major upgrades.
    • Conducting in-depth data analysis to identify multi-million pound savings opportunities.
    • Managing relationships with strategic carriers and negotiating larger contracts.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, a lot of transport planning can be repetitive, time-consuming, and frankly, a bit of a grind. But what if you could offload the grunt work and focus on the really interesting, high-value stuff? That's where AI comes in. We're not talking about robots taking over; we're talking about smart tools that make you a more powerful, efficient planner.

In Operations, AI isn't some far-off dream. It's already here, helping us automate the mundane, predict the unpredictable, and make smarter decisions faster. For a Senior Transport Planner, that means less time wrestling with spreadsheets and more time strategising, optimising, and problem-solving. Think of it as having a highly efficient, tireless assistant who handles the routine, leaving you free to tackle the complex challenges.

Automated Carrier Tendering

Imagine AI automatically sending load tenders to a cascading list of preferred carriers based on cost, performance, and capacity. It then auto-confirms the first acceptance, eliminating all those manual emails and calls you currently make. You just review, not initiate.

Predictive Route Optimisation

Our AI analyses historical traffic data, real-time weather forecasts, and even specific delivery window constraints to suggest optimal routes and departure times. It'll spot efficiencies a human might miss, minimising delays and cutting fuel costs before the truck even leaves the yard.

Market Rate Intelligence

An AI assistant continuously scrapes market data from various freight exchanges and industry reports. It provides real-time rate benchmarks for spot loads, giving you a massive advantage in negotiations with carriers. No more guessing if you're getting a fair price.

Automated Stakeholder Updates

AI drafts concise, daily summary emails for key stakeholders—Sales, Customer Service, Warehouse—pulling real-time tracking data for critical shipments and highlighting any potential delays. This frees you from repetitive communication tasks, letting you focus on fixing the problem, not just reporting it.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Senior Transport Planner?

Common routes in include From Transport Planner (2-3 years as a Mid-Level Planner), From Logistics Coordinator / Specialist (External) (5-7 years experience in a similar role at another company, managing complex operations.) and From Supply Chain Analyst (with Transport Focus) (4-6 years experience with a strong emphasis on transport data and optimisation.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Senior Transport Planner progress to?

This role can lead on to Lead Transport Planner / Logistics Analyst (3-5 years in the Senior Transport Planner role.), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Senior Transport Planner?

Increasingly, Prompt Engineering & LLM Integration and Carbon Footprint Optimisation. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 4

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

This job at other levels
More jobs in operations

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

The skills built as a senior transport planner apply across retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and third party logistics. Any business that moves goods needs this kind of planning.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Senior Transport Planner plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.