THE Tory government’s “botched Brexit” has led to a serious HGV driver shortage which could leave the sector facing “devastating consequences”, an SNP MP has warned.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Glasgow East MP David Linden urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to act as the sector reaches “crisis point”.
Hauliers have warned that the combination of Brexit issues, increased demand, poor pay and delays at HGV test centres could leave supermarket shelves empty.
The Road Haulage Association says that pre-pandemic there was a shortage of more than 60,000 – now, this has exceeded 100,000.
READ MORE: Brexit: Fresh produce headed for UK being dumped amid 'acute' HGV driver shortage
Linden spoke out as a haulage company in his constituency contacted him raising the difficulties it faced in accessing labour.
“Due to the botched Brexit deal agreed by Boris Johnson, 60,000 EU nations – who were employed in this sector – have left to pursue a different career or have returned to their native country over the uncertainty Brexit has created. This is unacceptable,” he told the Chamber.
“Furthermore, the average age of HGV drivers is 55, with only 2% of workers under the age of 25. As a result of the prolonged period of inactivity due to the pandemic, many of the workforce have chosen retirement or have found employment in a less demanding sector.”
The MP urged Johnson to put HGV drivers on the UK Shortage Occupation List so companies can access “the vital workforce” they need to keep operating.
He added: "Indeed, if the Tory government hadn't dragged Scotland out of the EU against our will in the first place, and Scotland had the full powers of independence to implement a migration system that works, we wouldn't be facing these issues.
"This shows, once again, that independence is vital to secure a strong and fair recovery for Scotland.”
Earlier this month a major distributor warned that fresh produce headed for UK supermarkets was being dumped due to the “acute” driver shortage.
Tim O’Malley of Nationwide Produce described the situation as a “crisis of national importance”.
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