The Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver shortage reached a critical point in autumn 2021 and has not since fully recovered.
What is the current situation in the UK?
It is estimated that Transport and logistics account for 5.6% of the UK’s GDP, and with 98% of food and agriculture travelling by road freight, it is crucial that the UK is able to meet expectations.
While there have been notable improvements since BREXIT, particularly in entry-level and local driving roles, persistent challenges continue to impact long-haul and specialised driving positions. Here at SUBZERO we are extremely fortunate to have a team of dedicated drivers with two-thirds of the team having worked for us for more than 6 years. However for most companies, it seems that driver shortfalls are the norm with an estimated UK workforce of 266,000 HGV drivers that’s 40,000 less than the UK needs for current demands.
What caused the issues being faced?
The root causes of this shortage are multifaceted, including but not limited to:
- Brexit – made it more challenging for EU drivers to work in the UK due to the need for additional documentation and visas.
- Covid-19 pandemic – disrupted training and testing of new drivers.
- IR35 tax rule – making off pay-roll working i.e HGV drivers employed via agencies on a contractor basis pay additional income tax and national insurance contributions. This led to many drivers choosing to leave the industry altogether.
What is being done to resolve the driver shortage?
The UK government have been proactively trying to overcome the HGV driver shortage since 2021 by:
- Improving HGV roadside Facilities
The government has allocated up to £100 million to enhance roadside facilities available to HGV drivers. Providing better amenities such as showers and break areas so that rest stops are more comfortable, in the hopes that they can retain the current workforce and to appeal to anyone potentially looking at driving as a career choice.
- Addressing the skills shortage
The government is addressing the skills shortage by offering a fully subsidised 16 week expedited training programme to anyone who currently holds a UK driving licence, the scheme has trained 11,000 since its incorporation in December 2021 and has recently been extended to February 2026.
Whilst the government is trying to incentivise training and enhance facilities on offer to drivers, what are employers doing to attract and retain drivers?
- Higher salaries
With reports of starting salaries being as high as £40,000 for HGV drivers, it is clear employers are keen to attract certified drivers.
- Improved working conditions
Latest recruitment contracts are listing greater working conditions including; quality in cab equipment, access to quality rest breaks and time off, roadside assistance contracts.
- Training
Logistics companies have had to come up with ways to future proof the availability of quality trained drivers, one way they are doing this is offering apprenticeships in an attempt to attract and retain talented drivers.
How long will the HGV driver shortage last?
As the UK navigates the evolving landscape of the HGV driver shortage, it is clear that the solution is not as straightforward as simply providing funded training opportunities and will require a multi-faceted approach. Continued government support, industry collaboration, and a commitment to attracting and retaining talented drivers will be essential in ensuring the resilience of the nation’s transportation network.
With predictions suggesting that the shortage could continue to impact supply chains and pricing for some time. This ongoing shortage highlights the need for continued and possibly innovative approaches to attract new drivers into the profession.
