Motorists could see petrol and diesel shortages nationwide unless action is taken urgently. A new report warns that 200,000 additional lorry drivers are needed to to avoid a repeat of the 2021 driver shortage that led to fuel station chaos.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has called on the government to step in, asserting that without 40,000 new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers entering the field each year over the coming five years, the UK could face severe supply chain issues. The report titled “Lorry drivers – the vital link – attracting, training and retaining key workers in the UK supply chain” underlines the critical nature of resolving this shortage.
Sally Gilson, Skills Policy Lead at the RHA, has highlighted that road transport businesses play a significant role in driving the economy, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable workforce, saying: “Businesses across the road transport sector are key economic enablers – and attracting people into the industry and building the foundations for a future workforce is essential.
“If we’re to future-proof the industry for the long term, we need to recruit, train and retain tens of thousands of drivers annually to meet demand. With an ageing workforce, we also need to attract more young people into the industry.”
The looming threat of fuel shortages has been exacerbated by the Labour Party government’s decision to scrap plans to alleviate concerns in the event of a future fuel crisis. With supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and Sainsbury’s relying on a stable supply chain, the need for action is becoming increasingly pressing, reports Coventry Live.
The report adds: “2021 was a year of genuine crisis with an HGV driver shortage which saw empty shop shelves, delivery delays and supply chain disruption. We must avoid a repeat of this.”
The shortage of HGV drivers has been a longstanding challenge within the trucking sector, still posing problems in 2025. Major causes are identified as the unsociable hours, tough working conditions and issues around job satisfaction.