almost half of the 515000 hgv licence holders in britain are not driving lorries amid calls to improve pay and working conditions to attract more back to the industry and solve 100000 shortfalls

Britain has an estimated 237,300 qualified lorry drivers not on the roads while the haulage industry continues to face a major shortfall of 100,000 workers. 

Industry experts say better pay and improved working conditions are needed to lure them back - and put the shortage largely down to Brexit and the pandemic, which led to 14,000 European drivers going home and just 600 of those returning.  

The Road Haulage Association said the total number of people in the UK with HGV licences this summer is 516,000. But the latest Department for Transport data shows 278,700 HGV drivers were employed in 2020, equivalent to 54 per cent of the total.

The number employed is 7 per cent less than in 2019 when 300,100 were working - and business leaders are now warning of 'unsustainable pressure' on supply chains. 

Since last year, the industry has also seen large numbers of drivers retiring, while lockdown has hit the training of new drivers with 40,000 HGV driver tests cancelled.

The average age of a UK lorry driver is put at 56 to 57 and not enough young people have joined the industry due to its long hours, unattractive conditions and poor pay.

Drivers' median hourly pay has risen 10 per cent since 2015 to £11.80 - below the 16 per cent average across other sectors, with new tax changes also not in their favour. 

Lorry drivers can only drive for nine hours each day, but many are away from home up to 15 hours a day - putting off many young people who do not want such hours. 

An HGV lorry driver takes his vehicle along the M4 motorway near Datchet, Berkshire, on July 8

The RHA said the total number of people in Britain who have HGV licences is 516,000, although hundreds of thousands of these are not actually on the roads.

Reasons for this include some of them training other drivers, or having moved professions, while others will be off sick, taking holiday or working part time.

The latest Government data issued last month on July 29 shows 278,700 HGV drivers were employed in 2020, which is 7 per cent less than in 2019 when it was 300,100. 

Licensing data shows that at the end of 2020 there were 485,900 HGVs licensed in Britain, of which 395,400 were taxed as 'good vehicles', down 3 per cent from 2019.

The Department for Transport data also said the number of goods vehicle operator licences in issue in Britain was at 69,000 in 2019/20, down from 91,000 in 2009/10. 

This graph from the Department for Transport shows how the number of goods moved and lifted and distance travelled by vehicles has varied, compared to a baseline of 2004 Q4

But during this period the average size of an operators' fleet rose from 3.8 vehicles to 5.2 vehicles per licence, meaning fewer individual licences covering more vehicles.

Driver shortage could push food prices higher

Supermarkets and hauliers have warned that shoppers could face long-term higher prices for food as result of systemic changes to the supply chain.

The Road Haulage Association said the 'substantial' pay rises offered by firms in need of new drivers could force supermarket bosses to pass the costs on to customers. 

Rod McKenzie, managing director of policy and public affairs at the RHA, said that the shortage of drivers needs urgent Government action and firms have offered better incentives and pay deals to secure potential recruits.

'Certainly drivers' pay is increasing, often by quite substantial amounts,' he said. 'This in turn is a cost that will need to be passed on, and given the tight profit margins of most haulage operators that means their rates to customers will have to go up.

'In turn, this may mean more of us paying higher prices for goods, services and shopping - including food prices - going forward.'

One supermarket boss also said that increasing wages for drivers will result in inflationary pressure for retailers.

'Paying drivers more, in itself isn't the solution as it is resulting in them making choices about the level of working hours and balancing reduced hours along with weekend working,' they said. 'It will also create more inflationary pressure in the sector, which no one clearly wants.

'To ease the pressure we need the Government to quickly allow us to access the EU labour market, whilst the industry must also play its part in increasing the driver pool through fast-track driver programmes and apprenticeships.'

The food retailer also warned that the food supply issues facing the UK are now embedded and won't improve unless direct action in the short, medium and longer term is taken.

Experts have issued warnings over a 'chronic lack of safe and secure parking spaces' for lorries which means more than 1,400 drivers sleep in their cabs each night.

The Logistics UK group is calling on the Government for adequate areas for drivers to take legally-mandated rest breaks, including short stops and overnight stays.

Bosses say drivers are still being forced to put themselves and their loads at risk, which is deterring new entrants to the sector from applying – especially women.

Alex Veitch, general manager of Public Policy at Logistics UK, told MailOnline today: 'In addition to recruiting, testing and training a new workforce of HGV drivers, it is imperative that government and industry listens to the feedback of those who have left a career in HGV driving and takes action accordingly. 

'Poor facilities such as safe, secure rest places are a key issue for many of these drivers, and we call on government to deliver on its promised improvements to lorry parking. 

'However, there have been positive changes in the industry recently which may help to draw workers back, with many companies increasing pay rates, offering bonuses, and implementing internal training schemes to bring existing staff into driving roles.

'It is also worth noting that many individuals hold HGV licences for a variety of reasons beyond employment as a HGV driver, for example, for equestrian use, or drivers who have now moved into managerial roles, for example.'

Lorry drivers working for Tesco threatened to go on strike after HGV drivers accused its Booker cash and carry business of going back on previously agreed pay deals.

Unite, which represents the drivers, said 40 drivers at its Thamesmead site had not been given generous pay rises like those working at the Hemel Hempstead depot.

The company put pay up there by £5 an hour but union bosses say it is now threatening to switch this to a £70 weekly rise and a £1,000 bonus for drivers.

Booker said it was facing distribution problems due to the driver shortage but it was working with suppliers, distribution centres and Unite to address the issue. 

Haulage firms and retailers are hiking pay rates by up to 25 per cent a year and paying signing-on bounties of up to £1,000 in order to recruit new drivers.

Drivers have previously been at the bottom of the food supply chain with poor pay, long hours and poor facilities which has made recruitment difficult.

This Department for Transport graph also showed that the number of goods vehicle operator licences in issue in Britain was 69,000 in 2019/20, down from 91,000 in 2009/10

However, they are now being promised better training, salaries, improved conditions and hours amid a shortage that has left stores with gaps on shelves.

Annual salaries of more than £40,000 will be available to some in the industry with reports some drivers at the top of the profession getting £65,000.

But the Road Haulage Association has said this drive to recruit more young British workers will inevitably feed through to higher prices at the tills.

Tesco is offering a £1,000 joining bonus to lorry drivers, while M&S has gone higher at £2,000 as part of a wider incentive package agreed with its logistics partner. 

Trade bodies for the retail and transport industries have jointly written to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng issuing a warning over the impact of the driver shortage.

They have called on Ministers to set up an emergency scheme to allow EU drivers to come into the country under temporary work visa to maintain food supplies.

Bare shelves at a Co-Op supermarket in London yesterday as the supply issues continue

Logistics UK, which represents freight firms, and the British Retail Consortium say that while Brexit and Covid-19 caused lorry drivers to leave the UK, a temporary visa could lure them back.

The two groups said in their letter a shortfall of about 90,000 HGV drivers 'is placing increasingly unsustainable pressure on retailers and their supply chains'.

They added: 'While there was a shortage of HGV drivers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, these two events have exacerbated situation.

'The pandemic halted driver training and testing for over 12 months, while an estimated 25,000 EU drivers returned home during the pandemic and following the end of the transition period.'

In July, the RHA estimated the driver shortage to be at 100,000 - up from a shortage before the pandemic of 60,000.

The RHA has also called for a change in how HGV training is conducted, saying that five days gives drivers a five-year licence - but this should be cut to one day of training for a one-year licence. 

A Government spokesman said last week that the shortage of EU drivers is a result of the Brexit and businesses in the UK should do more to train British workers.

They said: 'The British people repeatedly voted to end free movement and take back control of our immigration system and employers should invest in our domestic workforce instead of relying on labour from abroad.

This stock advisory sign was spotted this week by a Greggs customer in Winsford, Cheshire

'We recently announced a package of measures to help tackle the HGV driver shortage, including plans to streamline the process for new drivers to gain their HGV licence and to increase the number of tests able to be conducted.

'We have also temporarily relaxed drivers' hours rules to allow HGV drivers to make slightly longer journeys, but these must only be used where necessary and must not compromise driver safety.'

It comes as stores are struggling to replenish shelves with bread and other essentials amid the escalating delivery driver shortage that threatens Christmas.

Bosses at Iceland and the Co-op say cancelled deliveries are causing the worst gaps on shelves they have ever seen.

Separately, the chairman of Tesco warned of some festive product shortages at Christmas, which could include gammons and pigs in blankets.

On Wednesday it emerged that Greggs has been unable to restock popular products. It is the latest national chain, joining McDonald's, Nando's, KFC, Beefeater and Subway, to warn customers about shortages of key ingredients and products.

The supply of popular Christmas products is likely to be hit by labour and shipping problems

Deliveries of bread, milk and fresh produce to supermarkets and convenience stores have been disrupted, while supplies of canned and bottled drinks are rationed in some areas.

Quarter of food and hospitality firms are hit by low stock levels 

More than a quarter of food and hospitality firms have been hit by low stock levels in recent weeks as Britain's mounting supply chain crisis takes it toll, according to new figures.

The Office for National Statistics said its recent business survey found that 27 per cent of food and accommodation firms have reported lower than normal stock levels - the worst-hit of all the sectors.

Low stock levels were also reported by 23 per cent of manufacturers and 25 per cent of firms in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry. 

The latest ONS fortnightly business poll revealed that firms across the UK have been struggling to get hold of materials, goods and services.

More than one in seven construction firms - 15.4 per cent - said they have not been able to get the materials they need in recent weeks, while 9 per cent of hospitality firms also reported the same issue.

Nearly one in five manufacturing firms - 18.4 per cent - have had to change suppliers or find alternative ways to get materials, goods or services, with 16.5 per cent of construction firms and 11.4 per cent of food and hospitality companies reporting the same, according to the ONS.

It found less than half of builders and hospitality firms said they had been able to source all the materials, goods and services they needed without issues - at 42.1 per cent and 46.2 per cent respectively.

Just over half of manufacturers - 51.4 per cent - said they were able to get hold of the materials and goods they needed in the survey between July 26 and August 8.

Haulage and retail industry leaders are calling on the Government to take urgent action amid fears that crucial Christmas deliveries will be disrupted.

They argue that HGV drivers should be added to a list of essential and skilled workers so people from the EU can be given visas and allowed into the country to keep food on plates.

The managing director of Iceland, Richard Walker, said it is 'criminal' that drivers are not eligible for these visas, yet they are available to visiting ballerinas and concert pianists.

He warned the delivery disruption is 'impacting the food supply chain on a daily basis'.

He said: 'Things like bread and other fast moving lines are being cancelled in about 100 stores per day, soft drinks are 50 per cent less in terms of volume. So it is having an effect at shelf.' Mr Walker admitted that some stores are selling out of bread and then struggling to replenish the shelves.

'We have a lot of goods to transport between now and Christmas and a strong supply chain is vital for everyone,' he said.

'The reason for sounding the alarm now is that we have already had one Christmas cancelled at the last minute, and I would hate this one to be problematic as well.'

Mr Walker told the BBC's Today programme: 'It is a self-inflicted wound caused by the Government's failure to appreciate the importance of HGV drivers as skilled workers.

'On the skilled worker list are ballerinas and concert orchestra musicians, but not HGV lorry drivers — so let's add them. It's criminal that they are not on the list.'

Tesco chairman John Allan backed the idea of giving EU drivers visas to help keep Britain moving. 'The best and most straightforward solution would be for the industry to bring in skilled drivers from elsewhere,' he said.

Looking ahead to Christmas, he said: 'We are running very hard just to keep on top of existing demand and there isn't the capacity to build the stocks we would like to see.

'So in that sense I think there may be some shortages at Christmas. But again I wouldn't want to over-dramatise the extent to which that would be the case.'

Steve Murrells, chief executive of the Co-operative Group, said the ongoing food shortages 'are at a worse level than at any time I have seen'.