Trade groups in Treasury driver shortage talks

Representatives from the road transport trade associations have held urgent meetings with HM Treasury, to make their case for new government funding towards the licensing and qualification of truck drivers in the wake of the continued driver shortage.

A delegation of eight staff and members from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) met senior policy officials from the Treasury and the Department for Transport (DfT) on 20 February, in the hope of securing a new grant scheme for the industry, ahead of chancellor George Osborne’s Budget, scheduled for 18 March.

In a joint statement, the RHA and FTA said: “The Treasury got the clear message that the road transport industry is now facing an unprecedented situation which needs urgent government intervention, and that an immediate cash injection is vital if the impact on the UK economy is to be minimised.

“Grants to road transport operators would have a fast and beneficial effect on the number of new drivers trained and would help fill the current 45,000 driver shortfall.

“We set out a framework for how these systems would work. They would be nationwide, straightforward, accessible and time-limited in view of discussions between the industry and government over apprenticeship funding from 2017.”

Also discussed at the meeting was the possibility of a student loan-type arrangement, and how that could have a long-term role in combating the crisis.

“In the meantime, the chancellor has an opportunity in his Budget to reverse a damaging driver shortage and help drive positive change in the industry,” concluded the associations.

Earlier in February, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said the meetings would be “a major milestone for the association and for the industry as a whole.”

“UK haulage operators are responsible for the efficient and cost effective movement of 85 per cent of all goods transported,” he said. “Their job is, quite literally, to move the economy.  However, that can only be achieved with a strong and thriving driver workforce.”

The associations have estimated that at least 40,000 will leave the industry over the next two years, yet only 17,000 per year are entering the industry.

Said Burnett: “Do the maths – this has become an untenable situation.”