Fuel shortages ahead, warns RHA

Millions of people could be affected unless 200,000 new lorry drivers are found, threatening a repeat of the 2021 driver shortage which led to chaos at fuel stations.

The RHA has warned ministers that the logistics industry faces significant challenges. And reports suggest plans launched four years ago to tackle the trucker shortage have not been as successful as hoped.

One report said: "2021 was a year of genuine crisis with an HGV driver shortage which saw empty shop shelves, delivery delays and supply chain disruption. We must avoid a repeat of this."

Sally Gilson, policy manager at the RHA, said: "We need to keep these young drivers in the sector as we don't want to see people get funded training, get their licence and then leave shortly after. We saw quite a number train up, stay for three to six months and then leave the sector."

A government spokeswoman said: "We understand the pressures facing the housebuilding industry, which is why we are making sure that they have the skilled workers they need to help us build 1.5 million homes and deliver our new towns.

"Alongside this, we are getting more HGV drivers onto our roads through our Skills Bootcamps, giving people the skills they need to start their career."

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