No commitment to ‘binding code’ on driver treatment
The government has responded to a range of recommendations made in June by the House of Commons transport select committee in its report on the road freight supply chain – including to its suggestion that a binding code of conduct should be introduced to set minimum standards for the treatment of HGV drivers by employers and others.
In its response the government stopped short of a commitment to introduce such a code. It said that, while it supported efforts to improve driver conditions through increased remuneration and modernised working patterns, and recognised that improved practices would help encourage retention rates, such changes “will need to be industry led.”
“Access to good facilities whilst on the road is a key factor in improving working conditions for drivers,” it added.“That is why we are investing a total of £52.5m in improvements to roadside facilities and are working with the sector on proposals for standards for HGV parking and facilities used by HGV drivers.”
The government was also non-committal on the report’s proposed levy on the production and sales ends of the supply chain should the industry fail to deliver sufficient drivers and parking facilities within two years.
“All taxes are kept under review,” it said.
The committee had called for government to ensure Driver CPC training was funded by the logistics sector rather than by individual HGV drivers, to help alleviate shortages. The government said ministers were “actively working on” means of reforming DCPC to ensure it was not a barrier to drivers wishing to enter, remain in or return to the sector. The results of its recent review of DCPC training would be published “in due course”, with conclusions aimed at reducing such barriers while maintaining safety.
These would be put out to consultation, it said, adding that reforms would “need to balance the proportionality of the requirements for drivers, road safety and burdens faced by haulage companies.”
