Tesco warns food shortages will lead to Christmas panic buying if crisis isn’t solved

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. Andrew Woolfenden, the supermarket’s UK distribution and fulfilment director, said the labour shortages were industry-wide and described attempts by companies to recruit from the limited pool of drivers as “like moving deckchairs around”, ITV reported. Mr Woolfenden added: “Our concern is that the pictures of empty shelves will get 10 times worse by Christmas and then we’ll get panic buying.” The Road Haulage Association and Logistics UK estimate there is a need for between 75,000 and 100,000 new recruits. Ms Batters wrote a letter, signed by 12 food and drink trade bodies, to Boris Johnson, saying: “The entire UK food supply chain from farm supply to retail outlet are united in calling for an emergency ‘Covid recovery visa’ to open up new recruitment opportunities as a matter of urgency. While the industry-wide shortage of HGV drivers has led to some distribution challenges, we’re working hard to address these and to plan for the months ahead, so customers can get everything they need.” A Defra spokesperson said: “The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, which has coped well in responding to unprecedented challenges.”