Industry calls on Immigration Minister for skills shortage support

Logistics UK has participated in a joint letter – together with UKWA, BIFA, Chemical Business Association, Cold Chain Federation and RTITB – sent to Minister for Immigration, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, highlighting the industry’s critical labour shortage ahead of the upcoming Shortage Occupation List (SOL) review.  

The letter highlights the issues faced by the logistics industry as a result of Covid-19 and the UK’s exit from the EU – during which thousands of logistics workers returned to their home nations on a permanent basis – and calls for government support in seeking both short to medium term, and longer-term solutions.   

Alexandra Herdman, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK, comments: “Logistics UK is urging government to add forklift drivers, HGV drivers – of which there is an estimated shortage of 60,000 drivers – and warehouse operatives to the Shortage Occupation List in relation to the Skilled Worker Visa, as well as ensuring mechanics remain on the list. 

“Industry is working hard to seek longer-terms solutions to the sector-wide shortages and recruit home-grown talent with successful initiatives such as Generation Logistics. However, the correct training takes time, and as one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK’s economy, a short to medium-term labour boost is essential.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.