Retailers unite with hauliers to try to solve delivery problems

To help with the driver shortage, Logistics UK and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have written to the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to outline key three steps the government could take to help overcome the problem and protect the supply chain.

The crisis is expected to worsen in the coming months as demand for goods increases with the new school year starting, businesses returning to their workplaces post-Covid-19 restrictions, and the build-up to Christmas beginning – traditionally the peak time for logistics movements.

David Wells, the chief executive of Logistics UK, said that the retail and logistics industries are already increasing pay rates of drivers, offering bonuses, and implementing internal training schemes – but added that the government must take immediate action to support supply chains:

He said: “The current shortfall of around 90,000 HGV drivers is placing unsustainable pressure on retailers and their supply chains. While there was a shortage of HGV drivers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, these two events have exacerbated the situation; the pandemic halted driver training and testing for more than 12 months, while an estimated 25,000 EU drivers returned home during the pandemic and following the end of the transition period.

“Logistics UK and BRC are urging the government to adopt three policies immediately. First, to increase the DVSA’s testing capacity permanently so the agency is able to process the backlog of driver tests placed on hold during the pandemic – this has left thousands of aspiring HGV drivers unable to join the workforce.

“The government should also review its decision not to grant temporary work visas to HGV drivers from the EU, as such drivers could supplement the domestic HGV workforce in the short term, while the testing backlog is cleared and new drivers are trained and become qualified.

“Third, industry needs government to ensure its skills and training schemes support the recruitment of HGV drivers, by reforming the National Skills Fund to fund HGV driver training and injecting flexibility into the Apprenticeship Levy.”

Writing the joint letter with BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson, Wells added: “Logistics UK and BRC need the BEIS [Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy] to work with us to ensure the government provides a clear roadmap and tangible support for industry to ensure that our stores can continue to provide what the country needs every day.”