Further evidence the HGV Driver shortage is decreasing

Whilst there is still an HGV driver shortage, the Government initiatives and other supply chain issues means that the HGV driver vacancies are being filled at a quicker rate than anytime in the last three years, which is great news for the Haulage industry.

Recent figures suggest that the number of HGV driving vacancies has reduced by 15.3% in Q4 2022 and the number of vacancies is now around the 50,000 mark (half of the reported 100,000 vacancies at the height of the crisis).

It must be said that the Government backed initiatives, in particular reducing the time it takes to take the required HGV driving tests and other factors to encourage new HGV drivers, have worked well. 

A whopping 74% more tests were taken between Jan-March 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

This is good news – or so it seems – for the UK economy as a whole because the logistics sector is crucial to a vibrant economy. That said, the shrinkage in vacancies is in part down to the cost of living crisis and people spending a lot less money last Christmas and into 2023. This no doubt has reduced the number of vacancies and in turn reduced the HGV driver shortage.

Still some way to go and Isis Insurance will update our clients when we see the next set of statistics.