Trade bodies’ plea for ‘driver crisis’ help

12th March 2015

Transport industry leaders have met with Treasury and Department for Transport officials to press the case for new Government funding towards the cost of getting new lorry drivers licensed and qualified to drive.

“The Treasury got the clear message that the road transport industry is now facing an unprecedented situation which needs urgent intervention and that an immediate cash injection is vital,” the RHA and FTA said in a joint statement.  “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.”

The meeting also discussed how a student loan-type arrangement could have a role in the long term.

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