Lorry driver shortage risks supply chain disruption
Industry leaders say the struggles to get more people into jobs has gotten worse progressively for a number of years, they are calling for help before the public suffer the consequences.
A shortage of HGV drivers in the UK could risk potentially disrupting "critical supply chains" according to Politicians and those in the industry.
SNP MP for Gordon Richard Thomson has written to UK Government Ministers calling for urgent action, he's blaming Covid-19 and Brexit as major causes.
But those in the industry say that while both throw major spanners in the works, the issue has been long-term before the decision to leave the EU or the global pandemic.
There is reduced access to labour because of COVID and Brexit; the loss of ability to train and test new drivers due to Covid restrictions and the introduction of IR-35.
The Road Haulage Association are calling on the Home Office to add HGV drivers to the UK Shortage Occupation List and consider a Seasonal or Temporary Visa Scheme for qualified lorry drivers.
But there's also the struggle to recruit new drivers, with the age barrier of getting insured a sticking point.
Experts are warning that the driver shortage is reaching a crisis point, which will affect critical supply chains if the UK Government does not take urgent action. Richard Thomson MP said:
“Road haulage is absolutely critical infrastructure, delivering food, medical supplies and critical materials the length and breadth of the country every single day.
“The impact of Covid has massively reduced testing availability for potential new drivers and Brexit has driven many long-standing drivers who are EU nationals away from the UK. With 10 percent of lorry drivers being EU Nationals Brexit is clearly damaging to this vital industry.
“Major driver shortages have the potential to disrupt supply chains for many everyday items that we all take for granted and which are critical to a wide range of employment. For example construction supplies are critical to building works that employ thousands of people.
“The UK Government has refused calls to extend the EU Settlement Scheme or, even better, make it automatic for EU citizens already working in the UK, this would have made a significant difference. The UK government still has a chance to take other actions. Adding HGV drivers to the UK Shortage Occupation List is one of the main calls for action and is now a matter of extreme urgency.
“UK Ministers cannot allow critical supply chains to be disrupted, that would be an absolute dereliction of their duty.”
Aberdeenshire haulage firm Dyce Carriers is one of those concerned about the impact of the driver shortage. Jason Moir, who is Managing Director at the firm said:
“There has been a shortage of drivers for some time now but this year has seen the problem get much worse.
“There is not one solution on its own that will solve the shortage as we have short term and long-term issues in getting new blood into the industry.
“But one thing is for sure, if we don’t get the help in the short term then some deliveries won’t get made and some products won’t make it to the shelves.
"The road haulage is something that is very important for everyone, I mean look at the start of Covid, toilet rolls, that's all you've got to say, toilet rolls."
Mr Moir told us that the age barrier, due to insurance companies refusing to insure drivers under 25 on many vehicles, is a major issue when it comes to getting people into the industry.
He suggests help either from the government, insurance companies, or both, to find a way round this.
He told Northsound:
"We need financial help to get young blood through the system so to speak
"So we can train and take these youngsters in and have some sort of placement to give them the training they need so they are ready for work when they do become of an age to drive a vehicle."