LOGISTICS
HEAVY LOAD
W
Solutions – AV Dawson has been lobbying government on the issue of a huge UK-wide driver shortage .
Shortage – AV Dawson transport manager Paul Scott says HGV Class 1 driver numbers have been a struggle for the last 10 years .
Industry in crisis from Brexit and Covid driver shortages
hen major household brands announce to the world that they are unable to supply chicken and milkshakes , suddenly the challenges of the logistics industry become front page news .
But the shrinking pool of HGV drivers has been an issue for some time . The workforce is ageing and insufficient numbers of new recruits are coming into the industry for a number of reasons – primarily due to the perception of the industry , levels of pay and driver conditions at roadside facilities and delivery points . Paul Scott , AV Dawson ’ s transport manager , said : “ Where HGV Class 1 driver numbers have been a struggle for the last 10 years , the double whammy of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit forcing European drivers to leave the UK has finally brought the industry to its knees .” Many transport companies are now in crisis for both retaining and attracting drivers .
Mr Scott continued : “ The wages and expectations , along with conditions , are not sustainable for these professionals and are failing to attract new people to the industry .
“ With a lot of drivers in the industry working 60 / 65 hours per week , sleeping in trucks away from families and often being ill-spoken to by delivery sites and distribution centres , you can see the difficulties in attracting drivers to the industry , even without underlying wage issues .
“ Sadly , with haulage rates being constantly driven down and maintained for long periods of time , these cuts are inevitably filtered down and reflected in drivers ’ wages .
“ Wages and fuel are the two biggest costs to any transport business , so they are always the first and biggest source of a cost reduction or increase .”
A combined national shortage of around 80,000 drivers in the UK and 15,000 missed or postponed HGV tests during 2020 due to Covid has resulted in everyone now jostling for position on drivers .
Mr Scott continued : “ We do not want to put our customers in a difficult position regarding supply chains . However , the UK is in a crisis at present and we , along with most transport companies , are having to react to this to do what ’ s needed with
76 | Tees Business