Faced with a severe shortage of truck drivers, the United Kingdom is expected to issue temporary visas to foreign drivers and ease typical visa rules. This comes as the driver shortage leads to the rationing of fuel at filling stations as well as the issuing of warnings by retailers that the current situation could cause significant disruptions leading up to the Christmas period.
As extensive lines started forming outside filling stations due to panic buying, the British government began exploring temporary visa measures that would address the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.
Once the new temporary visa measures are implemented, the British government is expected to welcome 5,000 foreign drivers into the U.K. on short-term visas, a move that retailers and logistics companies have long-awaited.
British government ministers issued a warning against panic buying, stating that there is no issue with fuel supply, but rather a delay in transporting fuel to gas stations.
According to the British Road Haulage Association (RHA), the United Kingdom will require 100,000 more truck drivers in order to meet current fuel demands. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a year of driver training and testing has been halted.
