🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes
Transport Select Committee report: Logistics UK’s response
The logistics industry has worked hard to adapt and overcome the many challenges it has faced due to global disruption in recent years.
As a result, the recommendation within the Transport Select Committee’s (TSC) report on the Road Freight Supply Chain to introduce a government supply chain levy unless industry resolves the driver shortage and upgrades rest facilities within two years, was a disappointing blow for industry, Logistics UK has said.
SKILLS SHORTAGE NOT A NEW ISSUE
The shortage of HGV drivers that dominated headlines throughout 2021 is not a recent issue; this has been an ongoing challenge for the sector for many years but reached a critical point with EU drivers returning to the EU following Brexit, and a backlog of HGV driver testing – as a result of COVID-19 – which prevented many new recruits from gaining their licences.
APPRENTICESHIP LEVY NOT THE ANSWER
The logistics sector has already paid £700 million into the Apprenticeship Levy scheme. However, an apprenticeship is not always the appropriate qualification for logistics firms, and the sector has only drawn down £150 million from the levy for transport and logistics apprenticeships.
“The scope of the scheme must be broadened to cover additional skills and qualifications, so it can be better utilised by industry to help resolve the skills shortage it faces,” said Michelle Gardner, Head of Public Policy, Logistics UK.
“Many Logistics UK members pay for Driver CPC training for their drivers. A further levy on the sector would be detrimental to businesses operating on such small margins that already work hard to train and retain their staff.”
POOR FACILITIES FORMS BARRIER TO RECRUITMENT
Furthermore, one of the main barriers to recruitment is the attractiveness of driving due to the lack of available roadside facilities and secure parking.
“Logistics UK has campaigned on this for many years,” Gardner said, “Drivers and industry workers have the right to access washing facilities, a suitable hot meal, and safe, secure parking. Many drivers resort to taking their legally mandated rest breaks on the side of roads, which in the view of Logistics UK, is a national disgrace.”
In order to resolve this issue, Logistics UK is urging government to review the planning process which can currently lead to significant delays in the building of many new facilities. And while the industry is ready, and willing, to invest in building private facilities, the business group argues that it is not industry’s responsibility to build and run public facilities, many of which cater for all road users and not just the haulage sector.
INDUSTRY ENCOURAGED BY GOVERNMENT PLAN
The government’s ‘The Future of Freight’ plan included many aspects which encouraged the industry. These included a call for evidence regarding planning application processes, which will help government understand how to support industry better when looking to introduce more HGV parking and improve roadside facilities. Logistics UK has welcomed this announcement and looks forward to submitting evidence.
“Overall, the logistics industry has worked hard to resolve the challenges it currently faces but cannot do this alone,” Gardner said, “Any supply chain levy would place a disproportionate and unfair burden on businesses within the sector, and as a result, government and local authorities must engage with industry and look at how to work together to achieve the best outcome. Logistics UK looks forward to playing a crucial role in that.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns/driver-facilities
Published On: 07/07/2022 16:00:14
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
