Current HGV Driver Shortage news
According to the latest news, the HGV Driver’s Shortage is estimated at over 60.000 and is growing with major retailers with selected Lidl shops reporting empty shelves as a result.
It has also been confirmed that many companies and agencies are forced to significantly increase the driver’s wages in order to attract the qualified drivers, who moved away from the industry throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns and the subsequently decreased demand.
Government Response
Following Premier Food’s suggestion, the Government is considering using the army to deliver the essential goods to shops in order to sustain the supply chain.
The Government also announced a controversial change, allowing to extend the driver’s working hours by 1 hour with the ability to change the weekly rest patterns.
Increased Funding Limit for Apprienticeships
The RHA successfully convinced the Government to increase the funding for the Large Good Vehicle Apprenticeships to £7000 from July 1st. The previous level of funding was capped at £6000.
The RHA’s managing director is aware that the apprenticeship funding increase will not solve the HGV Driver’s Shortage shortage. It’s just one of the steps in order to resolve the current crisis by making the necessary training more accessible to new candidates and address the current dire HGV Driver’s Shortage
Other steps suggested by RHA
RHA’s campaign to address the current crisis is suggesting many other factors that need to be changed and improved such as:
- Priority tests for vocational drivers in order to clear the COVID backlog
- Shortened HGV training scheme for SME with the option of salary repayment over time
- Truckers being put on the Shortage Occupation List – allowing recruitment of foreign drivers
- Tackling the ongoing confusion about the recently announced IR35 changes
- Extension of the seasonal worker scheme in order to allow recruitment from Europe
In order to view our latest list of vacancies in the North West visit our vacancies page here