THE UK’s HGV driver shortage remains ‘chronic’, according to Logistics UK, but with the number of HGV drivers in employment not falling as significantly as in recent quarters, they expressed cautious optimism that initiatives introduced by government and industry are starting to yield results.
“The reduction in numbers of HGV drivers in employment slowed in the first quarter of 2022, compared with the second half of 2021, which illustrates how actions such as increased wages, drivers’ skills bootcamps and improved testing by DVSA are beginning to address the loss of skilled workers,” said Logistics UK’s Sarah Watkins.
“Improved throughputs at DVSA testing facilities have shown that 26,388 practical HGV tests were conducted in Q1 2022, an increase of 43%. March 2022 saw a record 10,481 tests undertaken, with a 60% pass rate. HGV driver wages have also increased with advertised salaries for those qualified to drive the heaviest vehicles increasing by an average of 25% in Q1 2022 compared with a year ago.
“Simultaneously, the very low number of HGV drivers claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell 70% from Q1 2019 to Q1 2022, indicating that there are hardly any surplus HGV drivers available for work,” she revealed.
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