Britain’s retail industry warned the government on Friday that unless it moves to alleviate an acute shortage of truckers in the next 10 days then significant disruption was inevitable in the run-up to Christmas.
For months supermarkets, processors and farmers have warned that a shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers was straining supply chains to breaking point – making it harder to get goods on to shelves. Hauliers and logistics companies cautioned that there were no quick fixes and that any change to testing or visas would likely be too late to alleviate the pre-Christmas shortages as retailers stockpile months ahead.
“We’ll do whatever it takes,” Shapps told Sky News. “We’ll move heaven and earth to do whatever we can to make sure that shortages are alleviated with HGV drivers.British ministers are due to meet later on Friday in an attempt to hash out a fix.The trucking industry body, the Road Haulage Association , has called on the government to allow short-term visas for international drivers to enter Britain and fill the gap, while British drivers are being trained for the future.