Dear constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the road haulage sector.
I fully recognise that this is a challenging time for road hauliers. I am appreciative of the role that road hauliers have played in the national effort to combat Covid-19. I have been following the industry’s situation closely, met with hauliers in my constituency and listened carefully to them, as well as corresponding with ministers regarding issues about HGV training and driver supply and shortages.
In recognition of the unprecedented circumstances pushing up fuel prices, I welcome the decision announced at the Spring Statement to cut fuel duty by 5 pence for a full year across all fuel duty rates. The Spring Statement will see HGV drivers save £1,500 this year.
I know that my ministerial colleagues communicate with the road haulage industry regularly and have held additional meetings to communicate and engage with proposals that have been have brought forward, some of which centre on the recruitment of HGV drivers. In total, the Government has taken 32 proactive actions to tackle the current shortage of HGV drivers worldwide, including streamlining the testing process, increasing the number of weekly HGV tests by 90 per cent. I am encouraged the Government has considered a range of options for supporting training, investing up to £34 million in skills bootcamps to train up to 11,000 more people. An additional 1,000 people are expected to be trained through courses accessed locally.
I have been informed that the number of tests available for HGV drivers in a normal week has doubled from 1,500 weekly appointments pre-Covid to 3,200 in a normal week.
The Government is also committed to increasing driver welfare. HGV drivers will also benefit from £20 million National Highways funding, to improve roadside facilities, as part of continued Government action with industry to boost driver welfare and tackle the effects of the global driver shortage in the UK. This is in addition to the £32.5 million funding previously announced. The funding takes the total Government investment in driver facilities to £52.5 million.
Although I have read requests for dedicated support and a user rebate for hauliers, the Government does not currently plan to introduce a dedicated financial support scheme specifically for haulage businesses. However, Ministers have said they will keep their position under review.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
