Supply chain crisis: No 'visible' improvements in HGV driver shortage - RHA

19 October 2021, 13:45

The shortage of lorry drivers in the UK has caused chaos to the supply chain
The shortage of lorry drivers in the UK has caused chaos to the supply chain. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

The shortage of lorry drivers and resultant disruption is "not visibly getting better" despite Government measures aimed at alleviating the issue, a trade association has told MPs.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee that supply chains remained "challenged" and there were still "widespread shortages" causing delays and frustration.

"Things are very challenged at the moment," said Duncan Buchanan, director of policy at the RHA, speaking to the BEIS committee on Tuesday.

"There are widespread shortages of lorry drivers, which are leading to delays and frustrated trips.

Read more: PM: UK must lead climate action because it 'knitted the deadly tea cosy' of climate change

Watch: Iain Dale's moving response to the death of Sir David Amess

"Among our members we are still getting reports that this hasn't eased at all.

"Things are not visibly getting better at this stage and I know there are a number of measures that have been put in place - stepping up training, stepping up tests - but on the ground that isn't having much of an effect."

Freight boss speaks out on HGV driver shortage

The Food and Drink Federation also gave evidence to the select committee, and said that ministers need to consider the "terrifying" rise in inflation that could result from the supply chain disruption.

"The committee really needs to think seriously about inflation," said chief executive Ian Wright.

"In hospitality, inflation is running between 14 per cent and 18 per cent, which is terrifying.

"If the Prime Minister is, as I know he is, serious about levelling up, inflation is a bigger scourge than almost anything because it discriminates against the poor."

Read more: £5k grants to help households replace boilers with heat pumps

Watch: Cabinet member reveals online troll 'threatened to burn down my house with my kids inside'

The trade body boss also stressed there was sufficient food in the UK, although he admitted to some shortages on shelves.

"We are not going to run out of food but there are some shortages, we have seen some problems with pigs and poultry, with some of these being solved," he said.

Truck driver speaks to LBC about lack of EU lorry drivers coming to UK

Last Friday Boris Johnson announced he was calling in foreign workers in order to tackle the shortage of butchers.

There were concerns that more than 100,000 pigs would be destroyed due to a slaughter backlog.

Read more: ‘Multiple failings’ over handling of child abuse claims against Lord Janner, report finds

Read more: Tory MP calls for 'David’s law' to crack down on anonymous abuse online

The Government also offered temporary visas for foreign HGV drivers - but Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden admitted to LBC last week that only 20 out of the 300 applications had been processed.

Mr Dowden told LBC's Nick Ferrari the number of lorry drivers the UK has been able to attract was "limited".

As well as the visa scheme, the Government have also expanded a fast-track training scheme for HGV drivers already in the UK.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Philippines US Blinken

US has ‘ironclad commitment’ to defend Philippines, says Blinken

Police are hoping to find Ruby (left) and Lacey (right)

Police issue urgent appeal for missing 13-year-old girls thought to be in London

The boyfriend of tennis ace Aryna Sabalenka has died aged 42

Former NHL player boyfriend of tennis star and Australian Open champ Aryna Sabalenka dies suddenly aged 42

Who is Aaron Taylor-Johnson?

Who is Aaron Taylor-Johnson the man expected to become James Bond and what films has he been in?

Australia Cyber Safety

Google, Meta and others face questions in Australia over cyber extremism threats

Police were called to Harrow Road, Wollaton, Nottingham, on the evening on 14 March

Man, 27, charged with attempted murder after man and woman stabbed at home in Nottingham

People-Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez divorce after nearly three years

Kate and William were pictured visiting a farm shop in Windsor together

'Remarkable' Princess of Wales deserves privacy as she recovers, minister says as video emerges of farm shop trip

Japan Economy

Japanese central bank raises interest rate for first time in 17 years

Exclusive
The incident happened at the Harbour

Police refuse to investigate NHS worker who filmed and shared video of naked patient

The new football regulator is set to be introduced

Football regulator to 'put fan voices front and centre', but Premier League warns against 'weakening competition'

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is said to have been chosen as the new James Bond actor

Aaron Taylor-Johnson 'chosen as new James Bond', with actor 'to sign deal to take over from Daniel Craig this week'

File photo of a dentist

Hardly any dentists think government's plan to fix NHS dentistry will work, survey finds

The Queen alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Revealed: Princess of Wales' photo of Queen Elizabeth II, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was also edited

United Nations Nuclear Weapons

US and Japan seek UN resolution banning nuclear weapons in outer space

Keir Starmer has doubled down on his calls for an election as soon as possible

Keir Starmer vows to 'fix broken Britain' as he repeats calls for general election as soon as possible