The critical shortage of HGV drivers is set to get worse, with union members set to vote on further strike action*at the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency*(DVLA).

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) warned on Wednesday night that the possible industrial action "could not come at a worse time" and would aggravate*the driver shortage*that has led to*empty supermarket shelves*and a*fuel crisis.

The DVLA said any strike action would hold "millions of drivers to ransom". The Government agency is currently working through*a backlog of a reported 50,000 vocational driving licences*stretching back more than two months.

But the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) at the DVLA's offices in Swansea will vote in the coming weeks on further industrial action over fears that 2,500 staff working in its offices are at risk of Covid.

DVLA staff working from home due to the pandemic – currently about 3,500 – are not allowed to handle driving licence applications or medical certificates needed to issue HGV licences.