FTA highlights driver shortage at party conferences

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Sunday 28 September 2014

The Freight Transport Association has used the major political party annual conferences to highlight the national shortage of professional drivers, following reported increased concerns from its membership.

The driver shortage was scheduled as a topic of detailed discussion as part of the FTA’s own fringe event at the Conservative conference, entitled ‘Transforming transport – securing and supporting the next generation of employees’. The discussion aimed to outline the challenges faced and discuss possible solutions. A similar event had taken place at the Labour party conference earlier in September.

Karen Dee, FTA’s director of policy, said: “FTA members are telling us of their real concerns over the lack of professional drivers in the UK. The driver shortage obviously affects freight operators and it is clear that it is becoming increasingly difficult to source drivers who have the necessary training to deliver the goods.”

FTA is a member of Transport Hub, a nine-member coalition of transport organisations which hosts events at party conferences. The group hosted events at all three major party conferences for the 2014 season – its fifth consecutive year in operation.

Said Dee: “Throughout the 2014 party conferences the Transport Hub will once again be putting transport in the political spotlight, attracting leading political and industry figures as well as conference delegates and others to discuss the issues affecting the movement of people and goods.”