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Original poster

Times reporting low visa uptake for HGV drivers

47 replies

Gingernaut · 05/10/2021 00:35

I don't have a share token.

300 visas on offer and 27 applied for.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/supply-crisis-military-moves-in-with-tanker-deliveries-to-petrol-stations-d00gls0bc

OP posts:
SweeneyToddler · 05/10/2021 00:39

There’s a shocker.

Sn0tnose · 05/10/2021 00:39

I’m surprised it was as high as 27.

TonyThreePies · 05/10/2021 00:40

That many eh?

Original poster
Gingernaut · 05/10/2021 02:16

I'm stunned any drivers took up the visa offer.

They've got all the work they can handle on the continent.

OP posts:
rrhuth · 05/10/2021 02:21

Can't imagine why very in -demand workers wouldn't want to come to xenophobic Britain!

Brexit is shit.

Shelddd · 05/10/2021 02:25

Ridiculous to give out visas for this job.

madisonbridges · 05/10/2021 02:25

Why doesn't the DVLA get its finger out and process new HGV applications in the system? If WFH is so efficient, why are they so far behind?

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 06:21

@madisonbridges

Why doesn't the DVLA get its finger out and process new HGV applications in the system? If WFH is so efficient, why are they so far behind?
As I understand it most of them were not allowed to WFH anyway - there are ongoing issues at DVLA which result from their problems over Covid, they had very high sickness as there was inadequate social distancing and this led to industrial dispute: www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-07-21/driving-licence-backlog-due-to-dvla-staff-being-put-at-risk-mps-told
Lockdownbear · 05/10/2021 06:28

Who's going to move to the UK for 3 months work?

But why didn't the haulage companies see this coming and get more people through the tests before Brexit?

The army must be able to train drivers too, don't just get them driving tankers, get them training other people.

While I was anti Brexit, I hope that this will lead to better pay and conditions for many workers, drivers, health care etc.
Supply / Demand push the rates up.

Hattie765 · 05/10/2021 06:29

I couldn't be more shocked, I mean no-one could possibly have seen this coming! 🙄

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 06:30

@Lockdownbear

Who's going to move to the UK for 3 months work?

But why didn't the haulage companies see this coming and get more people through the tests before Brexit?

The army must be able to train drivers too, don't just get them driving tankers, get them training other people.

While I was anti Brexit, I hope that this will lead to better pay and conditions for many workers, drivers, health care etc.
Supply / Demand push the rates up.

The increased wages for HGV drivers will push the costs of goods higher, so we need to be careful here.

Higher wages are quite likely to = higher prices, not higher living standards.

FreeBritnee · 05/10/2021 06:32

I think it’s just till March. It’s hardly enticing is it.

IpanemaPeaHen · 05/10/2021 06:38

Wages for HGV drivers may have gone up but the conditions for them in the UK are still shit compared to Europe.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 06:42

@IpanemaPeaHen

Wages for HGV drivers may have gone up but the conditions for them in the UK are still shit compared to Europe.
Plus wages will go up in the EU too.

Brexit was always about pretending the UK economy could operate detached from the global economy. It can't.

Theworldisfullofgs · 05/10/2021 06:44

Why would you want to come?

ACNHMAMA · 05/10/2021 06:57

@madisonbridges

Why doesn't the DVLA get its finger out and process new HGV applications in the system? If WFH is so efficient, why are they so far behind?
More test and licences doesn't equate to more people driving goods around the UK though. One of the stories floating around the news is that a lot of drivers have left the profession due to the CPC (I think it is) required.

My DH holds a HGV licence. He got a letter from the DVLA I presume I has been sent to all licence holders begging him to come back to the profession.

I don't think people quite realise that if all the licence holders move to transporting goods, then you won't have any bus drivers, bin wagons on the road, fire engines or delivery drivers for your precious online shopping.

Dancingsmile · 05/10/2021 06:58

The government should give grants to train as an HGV Driver . Expand test centres. Make it worth while to train up. Not a short term resolution I know but they should start to invest in our countries future too. It costs thousands to get a licence people who may want to obtain a licence can't as they aren't able to financially.

Howshouldibehave · 05/10/2021 07:00

Who's going to move to the UK for 3 months work?

Exactly. Knowing our shit storm of a government, they’d leave them all stranded at Dover on Christmas Eve unable to get home!

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 07:02

The government has no intention of investing in our country's future, Brexit was not about that.

And yes - apparently many paramedics and fire officers have been approached to go to work as HGV drivers Confused

lancashirelady · 05/10/2021 07:07

There is a shortage of drivers across Europe, not just the UK.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 07:13

@lancashirelady

There is a shortage of drivers across Europe, not just the UK.
Yes, but Brexit has amplified our problems which is why the UK has food and petrol shortages while the rest of Europe doesn't. They can operate as a single market and we are outside - that's why NI has no petrol problem.
Spiindoctor · 05/10/2021 07:17

Who's going to move to the UK for 3 months work?
Well, they did in the past. Probably depends on the pound sterling v euro exchange rate.

rrhuth · 05/10/2021 07:23

@Spiindoctor

Who's going to move to the UK for 3 months work? Well, they did in the past. Probably depends on the pound sterling v euro exchange rate.
No, they didn't move here, they just drove back and forth.

We were in the EU single market! Now we are not, we have put up a huge barrier and those drivers don't need to bother coming.

Brexit voters put their fingers in their ears when non-tariff barriers were discussed, and now here we are.

CuteOrangeElephant · 05/10/2021 07:26

I was discussing this with DH. Britain will have to pay over the odds because it's so much easier for a lorry driver to go to Germany or the Netherlands where there are also shortages (not as bad as the UK).

jgw1 · 05/10/2021 07:28

I think the point is rather being missed here. It was never about whether or not anyone would apply for the visas, but rather so that whichever hopeless minister took the time off from sunbathing to announce the amazing new policy had something to announce.