A plea to the government to preserve and create UK jobs has been made by industry body Logistics UK.
David Wells, chief executive of Logistics UK claims that the UK-EU trade agreement overlooks many industry sectors.
For example, he pointed to the support crews and hauliers who work in the entertainment industry.
In a letter to David Frost, the government’s new minister of state for the cabinet office, Wells urged intervention.
Specialised transport companies supporting tours represent a combined fleet of 700 to 800 heavy goods vehicles, said Wells.
In addition, he stated there are approximately 1,000 full time UK jobs in industries supplying the country’s cultural sector.
“The current Trade and Co-operation Agreement reached with the EU is incompatible with all business models where the load needs to be moved to different successive locations across Europe,” he argued.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth de Jong, director of policy at Logistics UK, has called for a solution to the driving test delays.
De Jong’s comments came as the Office for National Statistics announced that the unemployment rate had reached 5.1%.
“The logistics industry is in desperate need of workers to fill a variety of operational roles, including HGV Drivers.
“However, government policy is preventing workers from accessing these careers,” she stated.
De Jong urged the DVSA for a ‘programme to catch-up on lost driving tests during lockdown’.
In addition, Logistics UK called for loans or grants to help drivers cover HGV driver training costs.
“Those seeking work should not be prevented from taking advantage of the opportunities available in logistics,” she concluded.
(Pic credit: Peter Titmuss/Shutterstock.com)
