Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Supply Networks

Thursday 3 February 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers have been in frequent contact with transport operators and industry regarding supply chain disruptions.
  • The Government have taken decisive action on the HGV driver shortage with 32 interventions and doubled the number of HGV driver tests.
  • The Government report that freight volumes coming in and out of the UK are similar to pre-Brexit levels.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martyn Day SNP
Transport Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from ongoing concerns about disruption in the UK's supply networks due to a shortfall of HGV drivers, affecting haulage companies and other businesses.

Question

What recent discussions has the government had with representatives of (a) haulage companies and (b) other companies involved in the goods supply chain on disruption in the UK's supply networks?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Ministers have been in frequent contact with transport operators and industry regarding supply chain disruptions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics about recent discussions, details on participants, and outcomes of the discussions were not provided.

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Q2 Martyn Day SNP
Employment Transport
Context

The Road Haulage Association estimates a shortfall of some 85,000 drivers affecting supply chains, retailers and the wider economy. The Government's short-term visa scheme has been criticised for issuing only 200 visas.

Question

Given the scale of the problem, the industry is asking for a 12-month visa for heavy goods vehicle drivers. Will the Minister confirm whether that is being considered?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

The Government have taken decisive action on the HGV driver shortage, with 32 short, medium and long-term interventions. We have more than doubled the number of tests available for HGV drivers in a normal week from 1,500 weekly appointments pre-covid to 3,200 in a normal week now.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm whether a 12-month visa scheme was being considered.

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Q3 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Brexit
Context

A haulier likened the impact of Brexit to 'death by a thousand cuts', as EU companies withdraw business due to post-Brexit bureaucracy, administration and delays. Concerns are raised about future import controls deepening this crisis.

Question

What are the Government doing to mitigate the damage they have inflicted with Brexit on the UK's economy?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I know that the hon. Gentleman likes to blame Brexit for everything, but of course there are HGV driver shortages around the globe. On freight coming in and out of the UK, we are seeing similar numbers at the moment as we would normally.

Not addressed: The question was not addressed; instead, it was criticized for blaming Brexit.

How: Blame Placing

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