The UK truck driver shortage has more than halved in the past year, according to Skills for Logistics although, it says, experts are warning it is too early to be complacent. The new survey was conducted by Skills for Logistics nationwide with 1,200 UK companies who employ mainly goods vehicles drivers in autumn 2005.
The sample represented 26,000 drivers operating around 19,000 LGVs, 5,000 vans and 14,000 trailers. Stephen Wells, head of research at Skills for Logistics, said: “The situation has clearly improved, but there could still be a shortage of 15,000 LGV drivers during the autumn demand peak which could cost our economy hundreds of millions of pounds per year. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to put effort and creativity into attracting good people into logistics and providing excellent training and development routes.”