Peterborough, UK: The Road Haulage Association warns that it will take eighteen months to tackle the 100,000 driver shortage.
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett told Sky News that drivers are underpaid and wage increases will need to be paid for by customers.
He said that the industry needs more government help with training and apprenticeships to get a UK-based workforce behind the wheel. In the meantime firms should be allowed to plug driver ‘gaps’ from abroad.
Supermarkets are at the forefront of offering inducements and wage rises to recruit and retain drivers. The Times reported that discount retailer Aldi is believed to have pushed through a wage rise to maintain its position as the highest payer in the industry, and to stop its drivers from being poached by other firms.
Meanwhile, Tesco recently offered a £1,000 “golden hello” for drivers who join before the end of September. Morrisons has said it is setting up schemes to train staff to become lorry drivers.
