Tory MP calls on retired HGV drivers to return to work to save Christmas

26 September 2021, 13:45

Tory MP suggests bringing retirees back to work to plug gaps in HGV

By Seán Hickey

This Brexiteer thinks government should introduce legislation allowing retirees drive HGVs to plug gaps in British supply chains.

"The problem with lorry drivers in the UK is endemic and long-running" Andrew Bridgen MP told Tom Swarbrick. He appeared on a special edition of Swarbrick on Sunday live from the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

Read more: Drivers pack cars with jerry cans and £30 cap introduced as panic-buyers scramble for fuel

"We were 50,000 drivers short six years ago, we're 100,000 drivers short now" the Conservative MP pointed out.

Mr Bridgen insisted that the current shortage of HGV drivers plaguing British supply chains was "a problem of wages and working conditions".

Read more: 'Stop being stupid!' NHS workers urge Brits to stop panic-buying fuel

"A problem at least solved partially by the bringing in of labour from Europe under the agreement we had with the European Union which we're now going back to," Tom interjected.

"What does that say about the post-Brexit immigration plan of this government?"

Read more: David Lammy: 'Clearly we are heading for a winter of discontent'

'I don't think this is the time to start playing the blame game.'

Read more: Driver shortage: Now pharmacies complain medicine deliveries are being delayed

"The situation is very acute at the moment" the Brexit advocate insisted, noting that EU workers coming in to alleviate shortages are a mere "sticking plaster" on the issue.

"It's like a lifetime alcoholic nipping back to the bar for one more drink, it's not going to solve the problem."

Read more: Lord Adonis: 'Brexit red tape' responsible for HGV crisis

Mr Bridgen insisted that "we're not short of qualified lorry drivers" and noted that "one obstacle to those returning immediately, even if it was only part-time to help out as a retiree, is they have to have a driver's CPC qualification now". He explained that this qualification was brought in by the EU and is currently preventing retirees come back to work to help.

He argued that parliament should be recalled to have a vote to suspend the qualification which would "let us get back on track."

The Tory MP concluded that "we can get all these retirees back to work in the industry to get us through Christmas until we get a new trench of lorry drivers" by making such a small measure such as suspending CPC qualifications.

More Tom Swarbrick

See more More Tom Swarbrick

Emma Webber (left) speaking to LBC

Mother of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber blasts police ‘mistruths’ after force is put in special measures

Lord Harrington said there should be a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes.

Former refugees minister Lord Harrington calls for a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes

Mel Stride has backed the PM

Rishi Sunak has 'absolutely not' betrayed nation over Rwanda plan, insists minister after Braverman's attack on PM

Tom and caller

'Our family is there': Mother shares heartbreaking experience of being a British Jew during Israel-Hamas conflict

The ban will be brought into effect in months

'Children should be in the classroom to learn': Gillian Keegan orders 'blanket ban' of mobile phones in schools

Exclusive
Tributes have been paid to Elianne after she was stabbed to death in Croydon

Fellow pupil of schoolgirl stabbed to death in Croydon describes heartbreaking moment students were told of her killing

Scotland's first safe drug consumption space set to be openned

'Isn't this just decriminalising heroin?': Tom Swarbrick questions Labour MSP over first safe drug consumption room

The education secretary discusses educational reforms with Tom Swarbrick

Shadow education secretary says 'Building Schools for the Future Programme' would have prevented Raac crisis

Tom Swabrick

'Is it not completely mental?': Tom Swarbrick astonished as schools shut due to crumble-risk concrete before new term

Exam results

Equation sheets given to GCSE cohort in attempt lessen reduced grade inflation blow, schools minister says

Crime commentator on Adam Provan

Internal review of rapist ex-Met officer is the equivalent of 'marking your own homework', says crime commentator

Education Secretary discuss new Eton free schools on LBC

‘Bailed out by Eton’: Education Secretary discusses new free schools with Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
Lord Edward Garnier has called for a public inquiry into Andrew Malkinson's case

Top lawyer blasts Andrew Malkinson rape case as the 'worst miscarriage of justice of the 21st century'

Suella Barge

Suella Braverman can't be blamed for housing migrants on barge with Legionella, ConservativeHome editor says

Tom Swarbrick on mortgages

It would be 'manifestly unfair' to use taxpayers' money to subsidise mortgages, Tom Swarbrick says