Christmas presents could go undelivered this year due to a ‘shocking’ driver shortage across the country, according to a major recruitment company. Pictured: Lee Gamble, MD of Berry Recruitment
Christmas presents could go undelivered this year due to a ‘shocking’ driver shortage across the country, according to a major recruitment company.
Berry Recruitment discovered that some of its European workers have returned home, which is exacerbating an existing problem.
While figures show that immigration is still rising, the number moving back to their native countries has impacted on the ability to recruit.
Staff at Berry Recruitment are sending out close to 1,000 drivers a day – but could easily be sending out many more.
Lee Gamble, the company’s MD, said that he has been able to offer high quality roles with increasing pay rates, but the problem remains for all classes of drivers.
Indeed, Mr Gamble is buying his Christmas presents on the high street because he is not confident that all online purchases will be delivered.
He said: “We have 32 branches across the country and the story is the same from all areas – there simply aren’t enough drivers.
“There has been a shortage for some time but this autumn I looked into why some of our EU drivers are not working this year – and discovered that many returned home after the Brexit vote.
“There is work in Europe for them at the moment and sterling is unusually weak so they have decided to give it a go.
“It is the worst year I have known for finding drivers since I started in 1997 and I can see it getting even harder next year. It really is shocking.
“The shortage affects all classes of driver and that is despite regular pay increases through the year. For example, a van driver on a regular licence is getting £11 or £12 an hour. Last year it was £8.
“We could be sending out four times as many drivers as we are, if only we could find them.
“I will not be relying on internet purchases this year – I’ll have to find the time to visit shops because I feel a proportion of deliveries will not be fulfilled.
“There is certainly the opportunity for people to make a bit of extra money for Christmas, but that won’t solve the problem.
“Going forward, the driving profession needs investment and an all-round package of support to recruit and retain workers.”
The Freight Transport Association has been warning about the increasing severity of the driver shortage for some time.
It said almost half of HGV drivers were over 50 and that many are leaving the profession without others coming through, especially after the introduction of the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
The Road Haulage Association said it is up to 60,000 drivers short and MPs on the Transport Committee warned that current thinking is not sufficiently targeted or wide-reaching to deliver drivers fast enough.
The Internet Retailing Brand Index said that Brits will spend £24.3bn online this Christmas – more than ever before.
But without drivers able to deliver the goods, the trend might reverse next year.
Notes to journalists:
Berry Recruitment is a specialist recruitment group operating in the private and public sectors from 32 locations across the UK.
Employing more than 200 people, Berry is on track to achieve well in excess of £60m turnover in 2016.
There are eight specialist Berry divisions covering office and finance, technical and IT, industrial, driving, rail, construction, care and catering and hospitality.
With its head office in St Albans, Hertfordshire, Berry was formed by recruitment industry experts including Tony Berry, former head of Blue Arrow and Manpower, and Ian Langley, Chairman of infrastructure recruitment specialist, Airswift Holdings.
Berry’s strapline is ‘combining talent with opportunity’.
Tel: 01727 898650. Email: spencer.berry@berryrecruitment.co.uk
For more information contact Ed Baker, Account Director at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
