Supermarkets could have empty shelves this Christmas, influential MPs warn

Supermarkets could have empty shelves this Christmas and petrol forecourts run out of fuel as ministers are “sleepwalking” into another lorry crisis, MPs have warned.

The Commons transport committee says there won’t be enough HGV drivers on the road to keep freight moving unless urgent action is taken.

With Christmas just weeks away, it said ministers are “unlikely” to prevent a repeat of previous disruption when shops struggled to get hold of essentials and fuel pumps at garages ran dry.

Tory chair Huw Merriman said: “Without a new approach, the Government risks sleepwalking into another supply chain crisis.

“We have watched a sector struggling with recruitment and retention. Drivers are retiring and not enough is being done to recruit a younger and more diverse workforce.

Tory MP and Chair of the Commons Transport Committee Huw Merriman (Jack Taylor)

“Only a radical overhaul… will see more people consider HGV driving as a good career.”

The transport committee is calling for better training, facilities and vehicle security to encourage staff to stay in their jobs.

“All [are] key to valuing drivers in an employment market where drivers can earn good wages elsewhere,” Mr Merriman said.

Ministers are yet to accept a proposal from the MPs for big firms to be slapped with a new tax if they fail to build better rest stops for drivers, which include clean toilets and showers, food options including healthy choices, and sufficient provision for female drivers. The committee also wants planning rules to be relaxed so more lorry parks can be built.

“It’s time to shift the bill to those who make the largest profits,” Mr Merriman added. “A failure to invest in their own supply chain should lead to a financial levy.

“These companies, from oil producers to retail and online giants, make billions in profits but fail to invest in improvements for the drivers who deliver their profits.

“The Government need to reduce red-tape to incentivise new facilities to be built faster. If the industry will not then build, and invest in the resilience which drivers need, then the Government should do it for them and send them the bill.”