O/T Fuel Queues

[WBA123]

Looking at the figures of HGV driver shortages around the world ( according to the International Road Transport Union who are the most reliable source for this type of info I would expect ) it seems that all this blame, as per usual on Brexit, is utter rubbish!!

There is a driver shortage across Europe of over 400,000 drivers.

Germany ( the great panacea) is 40,000 drivers short.

France is around 43,000 short.

Italy are 15,000 short.

Elsewhere the USA is 63,000 short and wait for it.....

China are short of 4 MILLION drivers.

The USA are facing their biggest ever driver shortage crisis apparently.

So once again Brexit gets the blame but across the world in other countries Covid is being sited as the reason.

Most of you on here know that I rely on imported goods from China, the lead times for my items have risen from 4 months to somewhere between 6 and 8 months with certain items now on an 11 month lead time.

It’s a nightmare trying to get goods across China and then finding a container for them to go into and even when you do find one it’s price is around 7-10 times what it was pre Covid.

Let’s blame Boris and Brexit though eh?

Remainers don’t want to think about why the Eu is so short of HGV drivers when apparently, we sent them all packing in December 2020.

Very few of you are involved in the world I inhabit on a daily basis, I cannot stress what a mess the world supply chain and transport in general is in.

As for making sales into the Eu and vice versa, since the duty declaration value was increased to around £150 it’s become a piece of cake, since July changes our sales have rocketed in the Eu again.

Life isn’t perfect, I won’t pretend it’s as easy as it used to be but most businesses adapt like we have.

This blaming Brexit by supposedly superior people of higher learning needs to stop.....not every ill in this country is due to Brexit.

It just isn’t.

Oh my life, why is this so hard for people to understand. People who typically voted for Brexit are now look around for other things to blame.

I've said this numerous times, we would have had supply issues anyway - but Brexit further compounds these problems.

We are around 100,000 drivers short, we lost 20,000 EU drivers according the RHA because of Brexit. The RHA have been warning about this issue for months, if not longer. On the front page of the Mail yesterday they were being blamed for it, and Grant Shapps also blamed them. This is not a Government that takes any responsibility. But then neither do the people that voted for this Govt or for Brexit - as is evidenced here.

All you are doing here is making excuses. We can't control the pandemic issues or what happens in China. But there is no doubt we would be better prepared if we hadn't left the EU. Regardless of what type of spin you want to put on it about other countries issues.

"Life isn't perfect, its not as easy as it used to be"

I think deep down you know Brexit is a disaster and you're just clutching at straws.

[WBA123]

So the Government, who were warned by the RHA months ago there was a HGV driver shortage sat on their hands did absolutely nothing.

They didn't proactively look at ways to bring more HGV drivers to the industry, or make it easier to book tests or try and find drivers from overseas. The only thing they did around one month ago was to allow current drivers (who are already shattered) to work longer days.

They waited for this situation we are having now. And when it arrived, it seems to be the fault of;
The RHA
Remainers
The Press
Panic Buyers

Basically, everyone but the Government.

They are again proving why they are a disgrace.

So forgive me for blaming Boris, his useless government and ****ing Brexit.

[boingy]

Oh my life, why is this so hard for people to understand. People who typically voted for Brexit are now look around for other things to blame.

I've said this numerous times, we would have had supply issues anyway - but Brexit further compounds these problems.

We are around 100,000 drivers short, we lost 20,000 EU drivers according the RHA because of Brexit. The RHA have been warning about this issue for months, if not longer. On the front page of the Mail yesterday they were being blamed for it, and Grant Shapps also blamed them. This is not a Government that takes any responsibility. But then neither do the people that voted for this Govt or for Brexit - as is evidenced here.

All you are doing here is making excuses. We can't control the pandemic issues or what happens in China. But there is no doubt we would be better prepared if we hadn't left the EU. Regardless of what type of spin you want to put on it about other countries issues.

"Life isn't perfect, its not as easy as it used to be"

I think deep down you know Brexit is a disaster and you're just clutching at straws.

Utter tripe! I know Deep down that the EU is a controlling monster and you are clearly under it. Remember it told Italy to change their own budget!!! Flipping cheek!

[WBA123]

Utter tripe! I know Deep down that the EU is a controlling monster and you are clearly under it. Remember it told Italy to change their own budget!!! Flipping cheek!

It must be hard for you to support something, believe so strongly for it. And then when it is here for it be failing as badly as it is.

I'd love to know how your life will improve, what improvements have already been made. If you feel like the promises made to you by prominent Leave politicians have been truthful.

Of course, we already know the answer to all of the above.

You are blinded by your hatred towards the EU, which has been manufactured by the British press.

[baggiematt]

So the Government, who were warned by the RHA months ago there was a HGV driver shortage sat on their hands did absolutely nothing.

They didn't proactively look at ways to bring more HGV drivers to the industry, or make it easier to book tests or try and find drivers from overseas. The only thing they did around one month ago was to allow current drivers (who are already shattered) to work longer days.

They waited for this situation we are having now. And when it arrived, it seems to be the fault of;
The RHA
Remainers
The Press
Panic Buyers

Basically, everyone but the Government.

They are again proving why they are a disgrace.

So forgive me for blaming Boris, his useless government and ****ing Brexit.

Why is this even a government issue? An industry has allowed itself to hold 100,000 vacancies in a role that is low-moderate skilled (no disrespect to HGV drivers).

What on earth have they been doing to plug this gap? I read a sob story from a bloke who owned a small haulage firm and he had 110 staff, 400 vacancies but 300 in training. Why? Why not plan and train them earlier? It’s all very reactive.

Brexit has been on the horizon for years. 2016 we voted for it and the gov allowed extensions for migrants for year after year. Why is it now a problem for these private industries?

I can’t fathom how an industry could be so inept that it allows itself get to this position and then cry to the government for help. I refuse to believe that we can’t fill these well paid roles with British nationals.

[regis80]

I thing for certain is this, this current inept bunch who are in charge have their days numbered. So much damage being done, you all need to wake up.

Let’s see if any of you can watch this video, a deep heartfelt honest view by this chap who dissects everything that is wrong with BoJo

https://youtu.be/goo06-v2h-w

I doubt any of you will watch it though.

[stripes39]

Back to the original point of the thread, the fuel shortage......

I have a friend who owns a large driver recruitment business in Manchester and has done for many years. Supplying HGV drivers to a wide range of industries has been a core part of his business since he started. I spoke with him about this fuel shortage etc and he had some interesting views on it;

In 2015 the RHA issued a press release saying they were 50,000 HGV drivers short of what was required. The industry has been short staffed for years.

During lockdown, training and tests were cancelled and we now have a big logjam of applicants who need training and testing.

Many European Drivers did return home after Brexit which didn't help the situation but the shortages were there Brexit or not.

After lockdown he has seen a transition of HGV drivers taking up offers to drive for companies like Amazon because those companies offer higher than average wages as they know they need to pay it and the jobs offer better lifestyle benefits such as being at home every night and not having to drive hundreds of miles etc.

So all in all he said, a perfect storm. He said there is no one root cause to blame as many holes should have been plugged but were not but that it doesn't stop some people using it as a political football to further their agendas - whatever they may be. He did say Europe has similar issues as his business operates in Europe as well and for the record so does the US have driver shortages.

It's interesting but last week you could drive on to any forecourt and buy fuel. Today you can't. Unless we've had a massive exodus of drivers in the last week, it seems the perpetually negative media have done a sterling job of whipping up fear with the selfish morons in society.

As one woman interviewed by SKY yesterday said as she waited in her 4x4 in a long queue when asked why she was queuing, "I don't know but I thought I should as everyone else is doing it" Or the son of a friend who works at a forecourt in Kidderminster told me a woman in a Range Rover queued to put £7 in. That's all she could get in. Unfortunately, these people and an irresponsible media are just exposing a multi-faceted problem that has been around for years both home and overseas.

[Omegstrat6]

The original issue was with a handful of forecourts and 2 companies only but, whilst the press and news have played their part, it is the mentality of so many of the general public that has now caused a genuine short term issue through their thoughtless panic buying. Most customers are generally polite but I witnessed both last night and first thing this morning appalling behaviour by some. It may take a week or so though before the situation improves as people slowly realise that there is no actual shortage and that continually topping up by ridiculously small amounts only makes matters worse.

[Leicesterbaggie]

I'm sorry, but I don't get the premise that if you voted to leave the EU that you are unintelligent. It is a completely arrogant assumption on behalf of those who voted to remain. I didn't go to university but to a teacher training college and therefore would regard myself as reasonably intelligent. I voted to leave and become increasingly annoyed to be told by these arrogant Remainers that I lack the brainpower to make the correct decisions, the correct decisions in their blinkered view. Brexit is a very complex situation with many complex issues but the assumption that Remainers have all the answers is utterly amazing. If there is a lack of intelligence, it is on their part by assuming that whatever they believe is correct. I don't have all the answers but certainly neither do the Remainers. Show a little humility!

[WBA123]

Why is this even a government issue? An industry has allowed itself to hold 100,000 vacancies in a role that is low-moderate skilled (no disrespect to HGV drivers).

What on earth have they been doing to plug this gap? I read a sob story from a bloke who owned a small haulage firm and he had 110 staff, 400 vacancies but 300 in training. Why? Why not plan and train them earlier? It’s all very reactive.

Brexit has been on the horizon for years. 2016 we voted for it and the gov allowed extensions for migrants for year after year. Why is it now a problem for these private industries?

I can’t fathom how an industry could be so inept that it allows itself get to this position and then cry to the government for help. I refuse to believe that we can’t fill these well paid roles with British nationals.

Why is this a Govt issue... because they are responsible for the smooth running of the country, that is their remit. They have to ensure the right conditions are in place so that people have fuel in their car to go to work, and have access to food, drink etc.

You mention the industry trying to solve their own issues. They are often fighting against government imposed regulations to help improve the situation - for example the pandemic meant HGV driver tests were suspended (Govt enforced) or that Brexit meant 20,000 EU Drivers returning home.

Really the Government have contributed to this mess, not alleviated it.

As for your last sentence, you'd better believe it. Why would British nationals do some of the jobs that EU workers have been doing. They're just not attracted to jobs such as picking fruit or driving trucks. And there is a shortfall of available workers compared to available jobs anyway.