HGV Driver Shortages

[JamesWales]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

**** me, well said. This notion that a lot of the people who voted out in the poorest regions are uneducated racists is just plain wrong. Some will be, but the majority aren't. They voted out because successive governments and the Neo Lib EU systemically contributed towards their pay and conditions dropping. It's not the fault of economic migrants, they probably want the same as anyone else, but the fact is that bosses used labour immigration as a way of paying less and squeezing conditions.

At times, I found the remain campaign and plenty of those who were vocal about staying as snooty and condescending, and not at all interested in trying to understand that people from traditional industrial areas were the losers in almost every respect.

The irony is that the white middle class generally stick with their own, because they can and they have options. The working classes have integrated for centuries, due to economic immigration into these areas, and generally, different cultures have rubbed along pretty well.

These people voted out because governments of both colours sold off manufacturing and heavy industry, didn't replace it with real jobs, unions became weak after legislation was passed by the Tories and new labour, and the EU, run by bankers and bosses did their level best to implement policy that was designed to look after the bosses, not the workers.

Agree 100%.

The slandering of all leave voters repulsed me, and as someone who was 50/50 at the start was a significant factor in turning me away from the remain campaign.

Anyway, on HGV drivers, we need a long term fix. Realign the economy so that those society relies upon get a fairer slice of the cake.

Need to hold our nerve IMO.

[Mario Miethig]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

I work for a large supermarket chain as a warehouseman. I’m in my early 50s and am being trained on a class 1 course (already have class 2), paid for by my employers. Others where I work are also being trained up.
It’s strange, as they not only can’t get enough drivers, but are also struggling big time for warehouse staff.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

When you’re in charge of a massive vehicle with huge hazards and long hours in a job you do need to concentrate on I don’t think the finger should be pointed as ‘hoops’

Look at the difference to train and tube drivers and they haven’t got other idiotic road users to deal with

They need plenty of training but it should be free

I think you misunderstood my reference to hoops, old fruit.

[WJ99mobile]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

I think you misunderstood my reference to hoops, old fruit.

Sorry I didn't realise you were referring to Brexit

[WJ99mobile]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

Whether many want to return/come here is another matter.

I assume the migration here was a economic decision for most. I think that if that was sorted by higher wages than on the continent many would

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

Sorry I didn't realise you were referring to Brexit

No harm done. Give us a smile and carry on

[MOZZER2]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

something which seems to have escaped under everyone radar is the IR35 off payroll which came into effect In April this year by this hopeless government

Many HGV drivers left when this was introduced not just confined to HGV drivers but many other sectors too

a cross functional think tank told the government and warned them what would happen and lo and behold its playing out in front of our eyes . a shortage of key staff all over the UK .HGV drivers being a perfect example where the new IR35 legislation is no good which offers no flexibility especially if your working away from home .HGV drivers lost thousands of pounds when this was introduced

[WJ99mobile]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

Agree 100%.

The slandering of all leave voters repulsed me, and as someone who was 50/50 at the start was a significant factor in turning me away from the remain campaign.

Anyway, on HGV drivers, we need a long term fix. Realign the economy so that those society relies upon get a fairer slice of the cake.

Need to hold our nerve IMO.

The jobs at risk of being weren't the social media managers, the estate agents, the civil servants.

It was the poorest that were adversely affected and the better off that were benefitting from immigration

[WJ99mobile]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

something which seems to have escaped under everyone radar is the IR35 off payroll which came into effect In April this year by this hopeless government

Many HGV drivers left when this was introduced not just confined to HGV drivers but many other sectors too

a cross functional think tank told the government and warned them what would happen and lo and behold its playing out in front of our eyes . a shortage of key staff all over the UK .HGV drivers being a perfect example where the new IR35 legislation is no good which offers no flexibility especially if your working away from home .HGV drivers lost thousands of pounds when this was introduced

IR35 is a nightmare in general

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

No you didn't. Any economic changes take a long time to come through.

And sadly 52% wanted some pain and misery inflicted on us all.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

Nope. Thousands of EU HGV workers have the right to work here anyway, so if they aren't its clearly not going to change. There is also a substantial driver shortage in Europe - what makes us think they will come here?

The British economy is realigning following Brexit. There will be good changes and bad but some disruption is inevitable.

The answer ultimately is to raise wages for British workers. Opening up our economy to an almost endless supply of workers, most of whom have far lower wages expectations than us has relatively damaged working class wages. It hasn't done so at the top, who benefit from it incidentally (probably why very generally speaking, wealthier people generally voted remain, whilst poorer people generally voted leave)

We are hopefully coming to the end of a pandemic and are in the midst of a realigning economy. We need to hold our nerve and get through it.

Practical steps I would suggest: More use of smaller delivery vans where possible, fast-track HGV driver training, campaigns to get retirees back for 1-2 years, have army on standby.

For me it's critical we stand with the workers on this one.

But I thought we were going to have our cake and eat it along with the ready made deal we had?

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

They voted out because successive governments and the Neo Lib EU systemically contributed towards their pay and conditions dropping.

Is this a fact? Or a guess?

[Tuerto]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

Is this a fact? Or a guess?

It's a semi educated opinion. Some would have voted out because they're racist, jingoistic etc, that's the case across the board, I would have thought. Although most, in my opinion, didn't vote leave because they simply disliked foreigners. To me, it was a final act of desperation for many people who must feel that whatever system is put in place or whatever club we join, it simply doesn't affect them in a positive way. The establishment got what it deserved in my opinion. Sad thing is, the poorest are in the hands of Boris. If that doesn't show an extreme level of desperation, then nothing does.

[Feedback]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

When you’re in charge of a massive vehicle with huge hazards and long hours in a job you do need to concentrate on I don’t think the finger should be pointed as ‘hoops’

Look at the difference to train and tube drivers and they haven’t got other idiotic road users to deal with

They need plenty of training but it should be free

I think the hoops were about working visas, not HGV skills testing.

[Feedback]

Re: HGV Driver Shortages

No you didn't. Any economic changes take a long time to come through.

yet here we are seeing economic disruption and impact almost immediately.