Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Workforce: Migration

Thursday 14 December 2023 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steven Bonnar asked about discussions on the impact of reducing net migration on the transport sector workforce.
  • The Minister stated they regularly engage with Cabinet colleagues on migration policy and work with transport industry organisations.
  • Steven Bonnar raised concerns about a shortage of delivery and courier drivers and the impending retirement of HGV drivers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Immigration Transport
Context

The question addresses potential impacts of reducing net migration on the transport industry, highlighting concerns about labour shortages and the need for a skilled workforce.

Question

What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of Government proposals to reduce net migration on the transport sector workforce?

Answer from Mark Harper

I regularly engage with Cabinet colleagues on Government policy, including migration, and my Department works closely with organisations across the transport industry to understand the sector's concerns about the transport labour market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of reducing net migration was not addressed.

How: Changing Subject, General Statement

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Q2 Steven Bonnar
Immigration Employment
Context

The question discusses the ongoing driver shortage in the UK, citing statistics from the Office for National Statistics that show a decrease of 6,000 delivery and courier drivers between years. More than half of the country's HGV drivers are expected to retire within a decade.

Question

Figures show there were 6,000 fewer delivery and courier drivers in the UK last year compared to the previous year, with more than half of HGV drivers due to retire in the next decade. What steps is he taking to ensure this does not become an even bigger issue?

Answer from Mark Harper

It is disappointing that the SNP's first response to any tightness in the labour market is to want to import people from abroad. My colleague, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, along with officials in their Department and our jobcentre network, ensures skills training for those already in the UK to address skill shortages.

Not addressed: The specific steps taken were not detailed; instead, it focused on disapproval of importing people from abroad.

How: Changing Subject, Criticising Opposition

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