London, UK: Transport minister Charlotte Vere has revealed that the government is temporarily extending drivers’ hours rules from 12 July as the driver shortage crisis continues to bite.
She said the move would enable HGV drivers to make slightly longer journeys “where necessary as we’re aware of a current shortage of drivers”.
“Driver safety must not be compromised & operators must notify DfT if this relaxation is used,” she said.
However, Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association expressed alarm. “This is madness when the logistics industry has collectively and specifically advised against this,” he said. “Loading more hours on to drivers that are already exhausted is not the answer, this will only push more to leave. It also risks road safety!”
Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, Tweeted: “There are only a small number of ways that this extension may be of use and it MUST not be seen as THE solution to a chronic shortage of skilled drivers – no driver should be compelled to work longer hours and safety must remain the predominant concern at all times.”
Rob Wright, executive director of international supply chain and logistics consultancy Scala said: “Driver shortages are a problem the government should have foreseen, given that there has been a UK driver shortage for more than 10 years, largely filled by EU and Eastern European drivers.
“Nearly ten per cent of all UK workers work in logistics, a growing sector which is vitally important to the UK economy, as was particularly the case during the past year’s enforced lockdowns. This shortage is an early test of the government post-Brexit immigration policies, which prioritise high-skilled immigration as there are significant doubts that domestic recruitment could fill the gaps in the short term.
“The long-term solution is multi-faceted, with short-term solutions such as removing constraints on driver hours – which were introduced for very good health and safety reasons – a backwards step. We do not want tired drivers of heavy goods vehicles on our roads.
“Instead, we need major investment in driver training to address the backlog caused by 28,000 cancelled HGV driving tests during Covid-19. Funding is also required to promote logistics as a more attractive career choice – particularly with appropriate pay and benefits given many drivers have to work unsociable hours, including nights away spent sleeping in cabs, for longer journeys.
“We must also do more to address the distinct lack of women drivers (around 5% of HGV drivers are women). While historically driving could be very physical work, vehicles no longer require the physical effort of the past, with mechanisation and automation having greatly reduced the physical loading and unloading elements.”
James Firth, head of road freight regulation policy, Logistics UK, said: “Government has ignored the industry in deciding to relax these road safety laws.”
“The industry needs a longer-term solution to the recruitment of drivers – including temporary visas for EU workers to cover the gaps while new recruits can be trained, and interest free loans for those wishing to enter the market – not a stop-gap measure that will heap more pressure on existing workers. The relaxation of drivers hours should only be used in an emergency situation, when a foreseeable end date can be identified – or is the government suggesting that the current shortage of drivers will be resolved by 8 August?”
Before the pandemic and Brexit, logistics was already experiencing a shortage of around 76,000 drivers, and Logistics UK now estimates the shortfall to be approximately 90,000 workers. The industry is certain that an extension of drivers’ hours will not have the required impact and could be detrimental to the existing workforce, Firth said.
