In response to figures released last week from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that show unemployment is at its highest rate since 2016 at 5.1%, Elizabeth de Jong, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, comments:
“The logistics industry is in desperate need of workers to fill a variety of operational roles, including HGV Drivers, but government policy is preventing workers from accessing these careers. Logistics UK is urging the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to put in place a programme to catch-up on the tens of thousands of lost driving tests during lockdown. With HGV Driver training typically costing around £7,000 per person, Logistics UK is also calling for the government to provide interest free loans or grants to train and reskill potential employees. With the UK facing such high unemployment, those seeking work should not be prevented from taking advantage of the opportunities available in logistics.”
