Government Lorry Driver Funding Doesn’t Go Far Enough to Protect the Logistics Industry

Despite new funding being announced to improve lorry parking facilities and a reduction on levies enforced on haulage companies, industry experts have warned that this cash injection will not go far enough to protect the logistics industry and mitigate the supply chain crisis.

Midland Pallet Trucks, a provider of high-quality manual handling equipment including pallet trucks, aerial work platforms and lift tables, has warned customers of tough times ahead as the government continues to ignore the core reasons why the industry has struggled over recent months.

While the government attempts to ease the pressure, they have continued to suggest that supply chain blockages are out of their control. As they announce additions to an existing package of 25 measures taken by the Department for Transport, more important factors like driver shortages, delivery delays and strict border controls forcing limits on European drivers, have been ignored.

Poor driver facilities, unsociable hours and low wages has played an important role in many drivers leaving the sector and has prevented haulage companies from attracting new talent. This new funding seeks to address these issues and create a boost for the sector to address the current delivery bottleneck, especially in the run up to Black Friday and Christmas.

The lorry driver shortage, which has created one of the tightest supplies of labour in recent history has left over 100,000 vacant positions and caused massive delays in shipping and delivering goods across the county.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Midland Pallet Trucks says, “Any funding into our industry is a positive of course, but the proposed plans for these funds are simply ignoring some of the key challenges that need to be addressed. It’s going to take a lot more than investment in parking facilities to attract new talent and take more than a reduction in levies to ease the current crisis we’re facing at the border.”

He continues, “Time and time again the government has failed to find long term solutions to help our industry, and companies are just left doing what they can to stay afloat—it’s a tough time.”

To find out more about the wide range of materials handling products available for delivery from Midland Pallet Trucks, visit https://www.midlandpallettrucks.com/