LONDON, June 25 (Reuters) - Britain could face gaps on
supermarket shelves this summer because of a shortage of more
than 100,000 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers, caused by a
combination of fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit,
industry leaders have warned.
In a June 23 letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson,
they called for his personal intervention to allow access to
European labour by introducing temporary worker visas for HGV
drivers and adding them to a "shortage occupation list".
They warned that without government help Britain's critical
supply chains risked "failing at an unprecedented and
unimaginable level."
"Supermarkets are already reporting that they are not
receiving their expected food stocks and, as a result, there is
considerable wastage," said Richard Burnett, the chief executive
of the Road Haulage Association, which co-ordinated the letter.
The letter was signed by the CEOs of a raft of logistics
groups, including Eddie Stobart, Wincanton, XPO
Logistics and KUEHNE + NAGEL, as well as the heads of industry
groups including the Food and Drink Federation, British Frozen
Food Federation, Cold Chain Federation, British Beer and Pub
Association and the British Meat Producers Association.
It said the approaching summer holidays, the continued
unlocking of the economy and spikes in demand for food and drink
created by hot weather and major sporting events would
exacerbate the problem.
The letter also warned that the Christmas build that
retailers begin in August/September would be seriously affected.
In response, a spokesman for the government said it had met
with industry figures to discuss HGV driver shortages and
possible solutions around recruitment and retention.
"Most of the solutions are likely to be commercial and from
within industry, with progress already being made in key areas
such as testing and hiring, and a big focus towards improving
pay, working conditions and diversity," the spokesman said.
"Our new points-based immigration system makes clear
employers should focus on investing in our domestic workforce,
especially those needing to find new employment, rather than
relying on labour from abroad."
(Reporting by James Davey
Editing by Paul Simao)
