In response to figures released last week from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that show unemployment is at its highest rate since 2016 at 5.1%, Elizabeth de Jong, Director of Policy at Logistics UK, has left some comments.

“The logistics industry is in desperate need of workers to fill a variety of operational roles, including HGV Drivers, but government policy is preventing workers from accessing these careers. Logistics UK is urging the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to put in place a programme to catch-up on the tens of thousands of lost driving tests during lockdown,” she said.

“With HGV Driver training typically costing around £7,000 per person, Logistics UK is also calling for the government to provide interest free loans or grants to train and reskill potential employees. With the UK facing such high unemployment, those seeking work should not be prevented from taking advantage of the opportunities available in logistics,” Elizabeth added.

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.