HGV driver shortages ‘not getting better’ and could last a year, MPs told

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK’s lorry driver shortage is “not visibly getting better” and could take around a year to recover, industry bosses have told MPs Bosses from the haulage, recruitment and food sectors warned ministers at the Government’s Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee over the current scale and impact of drive shortages. “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 tests, but on the ground that isn’t having much of an effect.” Last week, the Government announced a change to cabotage rules to allow foreign HGV drivers to make an unlimited number of pick-ups and drop-offs in order to help ease the supply chain disruption. Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, added that “snobbery” in policy-making has contributed, suggesting that sufficient training resources have not been given to certain sectors such as haulage. Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation stressed that there is “enough food” but getting some products to shelves is still being impacted by supply challenges.