Its also because a lot of European Drivers have left the UK due to leaving the EU, as the shortage wasn't as apparent in 2019 and 2020. I work for a big company that supply airlines with food, and we have lost a couple 100 drivers across our depots.
The government ended the IR35 tax for lorry drivers from the EU in April, it basically let them set up as a self-employed business, letting them pay very low tax rates, letting them send money home ect, now they have to pay the same rates as UK drivers, so the job isn't as attractive
That must have done wonders for morale among the UK workforce working alongside them by the way, same job less pay?
A lot of EU drivers worked for agencies for this reason.
More a closing of a tax loophole than a Brexit decision.
The whole industry has gone towards agency workers, (see above) the job isn't attractive, long hours, (when you factor in waiting times) low pay, add in no new entrants as the tests have all been cancelled, anybody wanting to renew the licence is waiting months thanks to the DVLA shambles at the moment.
There are shortages of drivers on the continent as well, they expect a short fall of between 10% to 17%, and there is a shortage of young drivers for them as well same as the UK, average age in the UK is over 45.
It's not actually an attractive job if you're a family man, when you think about it.
My dad was a long distance driver, and you would barely see him for weeks on end, thankfully I didn't like him, so it wasn't a problem for me, but for most it would be a problem.
I know a few people who had a haulage transport Licence, and they have walked away from it because of the stringent laws that the ministry impose on them , said it just not worth the grief any more
cant see it getting better anytime soon.
