The Road Haulage Association is calling on the Chancellor to give the transport and logistics sector a shot in the arm in the coming Budget.
There’s a shortage of 45,000 lorry drivers and Britain’s all important supply chain is at risk unless something is done. The RHA wants the chancellor to earmark £2 million to support training and apprenticeship initiatives aimed at young people, the disabled, women, former members of the armed forces and ex-offenders. The RHA estimates the move could return £30 million pounds to the UK economy – making it an excellent value for money investment in jobs.
The Association represents 7,000 businesses who operate 250,000 HGVs between them. It’s Britain’s 5th largest economy and employs 2.5 million people, contributing £72 billion to the UK economy.
The RHA also calls on the chancellor to take action on Brexit to ensure free trade and cut fuel duty.
Commenting RHA Chief Executive Richard Burnett said:
“Brexit is now less than 19 months away and we are highlighting to Government the importance of free-flowing borders and current reliance on EU workers”.
“Our members are reporting a stable economy with a strong demand for their services. However, they also report that cost pressures are growing fast as manufacturers and retailers, impacted by exchange rate fluctuations, increase their costs, squeezing the margins of UK operators even further. If the UK economy is to continue to flourish, a stable future for this nation’s haulage industry must be guaranteed”.
