Chemical Business Association News

The Chemical Business Association has written to the Prime Minister calling for urgent Government action to resolve the chronic shortage of HGV driver shortages  that are creating serious issues and delays in the supply chain.

The CBA’s latest Supply Chain Trends Survey reveals increasingly serious delays, shortages, and logistical issues resulting from the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit. Some 62% of member companies reported capacity issues with UK road haulage and 76% reported similar constraints in relation to cross-channel haulage.  The road haulage industry estimates the shortage to be in excess of 60,000 HGV drivers.

Signed by CBA’s Chief Executive along with its Chair, Vice-Chair and Council Members, CBA’s letter supported the Road Haulage Association’s (RHA) recent call for urgent action – including the proposal for the introduction of a Temporary Worker Visa for HGV drivers and for this occupation to be added to the Home Office’s Shortage Occupation List.  The CBA and RHA have also called for a joint Government and industry Task Force to develop permanent solutions to the problem.

CBA’s Chief Executive, Tim Doggett, said, “Shortages and delays are now affecting key raw materials and chemical components underpinning much of UK manufacturing and process sectors that are already showing signs of a slowdown in business activity which will ultimately weaken the UK’s economic recovery. There is also a contingent risk to the supply of chemicals to vital areas such as water treatment and power generation, critical to the health and wellbeing of the population.”

The letter to the Prime Minister linked opposite