Current shortage in Haulier drivers could mean empty shelves at Christmas in Norfolk and Suffolk
The Road Haulage Association estimates that the current national shortage in drivers amounts to 100,000.
The current shortage in Haulier drivers could mean that shelves in Norfolk and Suffolk are empty this Christmas, according to the Road Haulage Association.
The association estimates the UK's industry is current 100,000 drivers short of its pre-pandemic workforce.
Paul Scotney, Norfolk and Suffolk's area manager for The Road Haulage Association told us that the current shortage is a "short to medium term situation" but insists the industry needs support from the Government now, to ensure that supply chains are fully operational for Christmas.
He went on to say the current shortfall in drivers means Norfolk's supply chains are going to be "dramatically affected".
"The problem is very, very real in Norfolk and because we've got a very rurally based economy, it's going to affect the farmers and the warehouses as well"
Mr Scotney called on the Government to make the HGV test, (required to become the driver of Heavy good vehicle), "cheaper and shorter". He told us that the test currently takes "nine months to complete" and costs "thousands of pounds".
He concluded by saying the current shortage has been triggered by tens of thousands of HGV tests being cancelled due to the pandemic, many foreign drivers returning home over the last few years, on-going customs and border issues between the UK and EU, on top of an already ageing workforce.