Britain’s haulage industry and leading trade bodies have written to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging him to implement immediate measures to address the HGV driver shortage.
Business leaders are calling for urgent action to tackle the HGV driver shortage, with more than 1,600 hauliers and companies writing to the Prime Minister calling for action to address the situation.
The letter urges the Prime Minister to “personally intervene to find a full and workable solution to the critical shortage of HGV drivers.”
The communication warns without decisive action there is a: “risk of further damage to not only our businesses and livelihoods, but the UK’s integrated and finely balanced supply chains.”
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) adds its members have long campaigned for improved conditions for lorry drivers. This includes an increase in lorry parking spaces, truck stops, investment in the road network, as well as improved apprenticeships and skills funding to encourage more people to join the industry as HGV drivers.
“There has never been a more challenging time for the haulage industry,” said RHA MD, Rod McKenzie.
“The Prime Minister must act now or risk even more drastic disruption than we have already seen in recent months. Our members are committed to working with government on long-term solutions to attract more drivers into the industry.
“However, the government is simply not addressing the short-term severity of this crisis given the 18 months it will take to invest in and train a UK workforce. Lacklustre and ill-conceived proposals such as a three-month visa will not work.
“For months we have been [calling] for urgent action. The tin-eared approach from Ministers to this spiralling situation cannot continue.”
https://www.rha.uk.net/news/news-blogs-and-press-releases/press-releases/detail/firms-call-on-pm-to-tackle-driver-shortage