UK Haulage Industry Warns Government's Plan to Overhaul HGV Testing Will Not Be a "Quick Fix"

Strategic Insights -

The UK government is facing criticism from the haulage industry over its plans to streamline the HGV testing process, which trade bodies believe will not address the shortage of 90,000 to 100,000 truckers that has crippled UK supply chains. The shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic and Brexit, has led to retailers and hauliers increasing wages, putting upward pressure on inflation. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered ministers to prioritize the issue, with warnings that shortages will worsen in the run-up to Christmas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK haulage industry has warned that the government's plan to overhaul the HGV testing process will not provide a "quick fix" to the growing shortage of truckers.
  • Trade bodies estimate that a combination of the pandemic and Brexit has left the UK with a shortfall of 90,000 to 100,000 HGV drivers.
  • Retailers and hauliers have had to push up wages to attract drivers, leading to inflationary pressures in the sector.
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered ministers to prioritize the issue, with warnings that shortages will worsen in the run-up to Christmas.
  • The government has rejected calls to give foreign truckers an exemption from post-Brexit immigration rules to help fill the gap.
  • Ministers are expected to streamline the qualifications required to drive class C large rigid lorries and class C & E heavy goods vehicles into a single test.
  • Duncan Buchanan, head of policy at the Road Haulage Industry, welcomed the plans but warned that the changes to the testing would not be sufficient to solve the current crisis.
  • The shortage is due to both UK-based drivers quitting the profession during the pandemic and immigrant truckers going home.
  • The government is urging the industry to recruit and train more British-based workers to address the shortage.

Sources:

  • The Independent
  • The Guardian
  • Reuters