Our company Our leadership Our values Events News Contact Us

Careers overview Current vacancieshiring Early Careers Benefits

Blogs Case studies Webinars White papers

Contact sales

Your priorities
The Platform
our solutions
- Audit & risk Audit and risk
  External Audit
  Improve the accuracy and efficiency of audits and build trust with clients.
  
  Internal Audit
  Gain total oversight and control of internal audit activity.
  
  Risk Management
  Centralize data for a holistic and strategic view of risk.
  
  Audit and risk solutions
  Audit and risk solutions that help you protect your business, engage with clients and have more strategic influence.
  Latest Gartner® Market Guide for EHS Software
  Download now
- DOCUMENT COLLABORATION DOCUMENT COLLABORATION
  Huddle
  Flexible and highly secure document collaboration for regulated industries.
  
  Mail Manager
  Email add-in for Outlook to boost productivity and improve document management.
  
  OnePlace Solutions
  Connect, simplify and personalize business systems built on Microsoft 365
  
  PleaseReview
  Real-time document review, co-authoring and redaction for regulated industries.
  
  Document collaboration solutions
  Bring teams and customers together with our document collaboration solutions to securely manage emails and documents.
  Latest Gartner® Market Guide for EHS Software
  Download now
- E-Learning and Content E-Learning & Content
  CompliSpace
  Policy, learning and assurance management to meet GRC obligations.
  
  WorkRite
  Workplace training and e-learning management system to meet regulatory requirements.
  
  E-learning and content solutions
  Meet regulatory requirements, bring policies to life, and keep employees safe with e-learning and content solutions.
  Latest Gartner® Market Guide for EHS Software
  Download now
- Environmental, Health and Safety Environmental, Health & Safety
  EHS
  A unified EHS solution that enables employers to report incidents, identify risks in real-time and automate safety processes across your organization.
  
  Maritime safety
  Extensive experience and specialized product suites that specifically address the unique needs of the maritime industry. Manage all aspects of health, safety and incident management.
  
  Environmental, health and safety solutions
  Improve safety, reduce risk and enhance environmental, health and safety performance across your business.
  Latest Gartner® Market Guide for EHS Software
  Download now
- quality quality
  Coruson
  Aviation safety management for complete control and reporting of operational risk.
  
  Quality Control
  Automate quality inspections and documentation to satisfy regulators and customers.
  
  Quality Management
  Digitalize your quality management processes for complete organizational insight.
  
  Smartforms
  Improve mobile incident and event reporting for real-time situational awareness.
  
  Quality solutions
  QMS solutions to help take control and ensure quality in every step of the process to unlock your full potential.
  Latest Gartner® Market Guide for EHS Software
  Download now
- A-Z Products

Our company Our leadership Our values Events News Contact Us

Careers overview Current vacancieshiring Early Careers Benefits

Blogs Case studies Webinars White papers

Contact Sales

Contact sales

2024 Resilience nation report • Download now

Home
Thought Leadership
Blog
The impact of the UK HGV driver shortage

The impact of the UK HGV driver shortage

The elusive McDonalds milkshake

In the age of convenience, we’re used with getting quick or instant access to things- entertainment, social media, food, and deliveries to name a few. Especially when it comes to big brands, we rely on them to be consistent and the same everywhere, always expecting them to deliver what they have on offer quickly and easily. So, what happens when our trusted brands can no longer do this?

In the past week or so, many fast-food outlets have faced upheaval due to shortages of stock. McDonald’s had to cut milkshakes from their menus- a popular choice for customers, especially in the summer months, and Nando’s had to close 50 of their restaurants due to a lack of chicken- which is what their entire menu is based around. It’s not just popular fast-food restaurants that have been affected, there have been shortages of items in supermarkets too and delays in producers receiving deliveries.

Why is there a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK?

The reason behind all this upheaval is a shortage of delivery drivers. Both Covid and Brexit play a big part in this. A survey by the Road Haulage Association found that there is currently a shortage of at least 100,000 drivers. There are a number of factors at play here which have caused the shortage:

A lot of EU drivers returned to their home countries before lockdown, as travel began to be restricted
Many EU drivers also left the UK due to Brexit
Lorry driving in the UK is no longer an attractive option for new EU workers due to the increased bureaucracy of Brexit and inability to freely travel back and forth
Prospective drivers were unable to learn or take the lorry driving test during the pandemic

In addition, many of these factors impact on pay as it has become more expensive for EU nationals to live or work in the UK which, coupled with the fact that some companies pay their drivers by distance rather than the hours worked, delays at the borders cause them to lose out on wages.

What can we learn from this?

While Covid and Brexit are two factors that are out with our control, this situation does shine a light on just how important truck drivers are. As one part in the supply chain, this shows how quickly things can unravel when that one part is neglected or impacted. Right now, not being able to get a milkshake in McDonalds is hardly a crisis, but this could continue to impact many different types of businesses and stages of the supply chain if it’s not dealt with effectively.

From a business point of view, it puts them in a negative light with consumers and jeopardises trust in their brand. This puts extra pressure on front line staff who may have to deal with complaints or negativity from disappointed customers, not to mention the potential loss of sales and revenue. Each link in the chain impacts on the other, and an effective strategy for managing the issue as it’s ongoing, and recovering afterwards, is crucial.

Some businesses are already coming up with greater incentives in recruiting new drivers, from joining bonuses to higher pay. Looking at implementing better working conditions and providing opportunities for training and support is going to be crucial in being able to attract new drivers not only to fulfil the shortages but to ensure long term job satisfaction and retention.

Ensure your supply chain is as resilient as possible

Even if there’s not much you can do about the UK HGV driver shortage, this is a good time to assess the other aspects of your supply chain and identify any possible risks or opportunities for improvement.