Ministers ‘in secret visa talks’ to end lorry crisis
The government has reportedly launched secret talks over a short-term visa scheme for foreign lorry drivers amid a staff shortage that threatens to overwhelm the haulage industry.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is consulting with industry bosses on how to tackle the crisis as an estimated shortfall of 100,000 lorry drivers has left supermarket shelves empty and pushed up prices.
Transport chiefs have recommended a temporary easing of immigration controls as the only way of quickly resolving the issue, the Daily Telegraph reported.
But the Home Office is opposed to relaxing controls, which were tightened after Brexit. As a result, the DfT officials have asked the industry to provide evidence on the value of a temporary visa scheme.
“Everyone involved is sworn to secrecy as the Home Office is taking a very hard line,” one source with knowledge of the matter told the newspaper.
“The Home Office has the final decision on this and the DfT knows it has a very tough sell, so need the very best evidence.”
Talks are said to have kicked off at the beginning of the month, but could fall through if the Home Office resists reform.
“There has been a subtle change of heart from government,” the source added. “They know they need to explore how this can be solved.”
The haulage has been plunged into crisis after Brexit and Covid resulted in tens of thousands of foreign lorry drivers leaving the UK.
Last week the DfT announced a temporary extension of the number of hours lorry drivers are allowed to work in a bid to ease the crisis.
But the move was hammered by unions, who said the measure was nothing but a “sticking plaster” and also warned that it could cause safety problems.
In recent weeks a number of prominent businesses and organisations have warned that the driver shortage is becoming a serious threat to normal trade patterns.
German sweetmaker Haribo said it could struggle to get its gummy bears to the UK due to the dearth of drivers, while Topshop owner Premier Foods said the government should deploy the Army to assist with the situation.