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Logistics UK ramps up its activities to tackle the HGV driver shortage
Logistics UK has stepped up its work with both its members and the government to help the industry address the HGV driver shortage issue, which continues to be a serious cause for concern.
The business group issued a joint letter with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) recently, following its skills crisis meeting with Transport Minister Baroness Vere, Employment Minister Mims Davies MP, and officials from six different government departments.
Addressed to Baroness Vere, the letter outlined the evidence for the crisis, its likely impact and offered estimates on how long it may persist. It also contained proposals for how the issue may be addressed in the short to medium term.
Logistics UK has worked to keep the issue near the top of the news agenda and ensure that the public are fully aware of the scale of the crisis. The business group has been featured in stories relating to the skills issues across national print media in recent weeks, including the Times, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, and broadcast media, including Talk Radio.
As previously reported in Logistics Magazine, the trade body is holding a members’ briefing to address the current recruitment crisis next Tuesday (13 July 2021). This will be held in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education (DfE).
Logistics UK also holds a regular skills working group, known as the Employment Action Group. Recently this group has offered to help assess how useful a visa easement would be and review pre-publication government guidance on IR35.
“The scarcity of skills in the logistics sector has long been a key campaign issue for Logistics UK,” said Alex Veitch, General Manager – Public Policy, Logistics UK, “but the departure of EU drivers following Brexit, combined with the capacity crunch in HGV driver testing owing to the pandemic, has conspired to create a perfect storm for the industry, as well as the wider UK economy.
“We look forward to continued engagement with government and our members as we work in partnership to resolve this most pressing of issues.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/skills
Published On: 08/07/2021 16:00:12
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