It seems the shortage of HGV drivers is not confined to the UK; across Europe and beyond there is a scarcity of drivers.
This combined with a shortage of products from food supplies to building materials, microchips, and electrical goods worldwide, is explained by the fair minded as opposed to those still cross about Brexit, is due to the pandemic, lack of container ships in the right places, the Suez Canal closure, and bureaucracy and red tape.
These issues added to a decline in fresh blood and older drivers retiring, has resulted in a ‘stick’ with which parts of the media, the opposition and pro- EU fanatics use to blame the UK government for delayed deliveries. Clearly increasing British HGV drivers pay would help.
There is too an unhealthy malaise amongst those who have become accustomed to being paid to stay at home through lock down and furlough.
There are plenty of jobs out there which the UK workforce are clearly able but unwilling to do. Why should we rely upon immigrant workers to build houses, work in the service and catering industry, and drive HGV lorries?
If I can drive a 30t HGV truck, I would suggest any able-bodied person can. It is not rocket science, it just needs concentration, determination and wanting to experience being ‘king of the road’!
None of these issues are exclusive to the UK. A member of my family runs a business with his partners, with satellite offices across Asia. In Australia some key staff have decided to seek new jobs or take time out rather spend time working from home, staring into screens and attending Zoom meetings day after day.
It seems a percentage of the public, some Tory MPs, HM’s opposition, and a large part of the media, have forgotten that in December 2019, no one, not even Boris, knew where the public finances would be by September 2021.
The hopes and aspirations of the nation as we stood on the crest of a wave ready to embrace the opportunities on offer as we won our freedom from the EU were palpable. What happened next with dramatic financial consequences, was clearly not seen in No 10s ‘crystal ball’, so not planned for in their manifesto. Neither it should be noted was it in Labour’s manifesto, although listening to Sir ‘hindsight’ Starmer, elected as leader of the opposition in April 2020, having been an active supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, one is led to believe it was.
The PM has dealt with lockdown, meltdown, furlough, hospitals overwhelmed with sick and dying patients and routine operations and procedures put on hold. Also, the impossible demands of Brussels with their antiquated procedures regarding ‘movement of goods’.
Factories across the world ceased production, the travel industry screeched to a halt, airports became silent with runways becoming parking lots for aircraft.
The roads, city and town centers were silent, pubs and restaurants closed. There was an eerie silence except for Thursday evenings when we clapped, banged saucepans and rang bells to ‘Thank all those who keep the NHS going’.
So now we are being asked to repay some of the money which the government handed out to keep people and businesses heads above water.
Despite the howls of protest across the media, and MPs of all colours doing their best to undermine the PM, I have yet to find anyone who objects to paying an additional 1.25% NI, if used constructively.
The ‘if’ is all important; a root and branch review of the NHS is overdue. There is waste, too many managers, unnecessary procedures paid for by the ‘public purse’, and not enough nurses or doctors. Also, patients must resume face to face access to GPs.
Social services need a dedicated Tsar to ensure funds are directed where needed - into the pockets of carers.
This combined with a shortage of products from food supplies to building materials, microchips, and electrical goods worldwide, is explained by the fair minded as opposed to those still cross about Brexit, is due to the pandemic, lack of container ships in the right places, the Suez Canal closure, and bureaucracy and red tape.
These issues added to a decline in fresh blood and older drivers retiring, has resulted in a ‘stick’ with which parts of the media, the opposition and pro- EU fanatics use to blame the UK government for delayed deliveries. Clearly increasing British HGV drivers pay would help.
There is too an unhealthy malaise amongst those who have become accustomed to being paid to stay at home through lock down and furlough.
There are plenty of jobs out there which the UK workforce are clearly able but unwilling to do. Why should we rely upon immigrant workers to build houses, work in the service and catering industry, and drive HGV lorries?
If I can drive a 30t HGV truck, I would suggest any able-bodied person can. It is not rocket science, it just needs concentration, determination and wanting to experience being ‘king of the road’!
None of these issues are exclusive to the UK. A member of my family runs a business with his partners, with satellite offices across Asia. In Australia some key staff have decided to seek new jobs or take time out rather spend time working from home, staring into screens and attending Zoom meetings day after day.
It seems a percentage of the public, some Tory MPs, HM’s opposition, and a large part of the media, have forgotten that in December 2019, no one, not even Boris, knew where the public finances would be by September 2021.
The hopes and aspirations of the nation as we stood on the crest of a wave ready to embrace the opportunities on offer as we won our freedom from the EU were palpable. What happened next with dramatic financial consequences, was clearly not seen in No 10s ‘crystal ball’, so not planned for in their manifesto. Neither it should be noted was it in Labour’s manifesto, although listening to Sir ‘hindsight’ Starmer, elected as leader of the opposition in April 2020, having been an active supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, one is led to believe it was.
The PM has dealt with lockdown, meltdown, furlough, hospitals overwhelmed with sick and dying patients and routine operations and procedures put on hold. Also, the impossible demands of Brussels with their antiquated procedures regarding ‘movement of goods’.
Factories across the world ceased production, the travel industry screeched to a halt, airports became silent with runways becoming parking lots for aircraft.
The roads, city and town centers were silent, pubs and restaurants closed. There was an eerie silence except for Thursday evenings when we clapped, banged saucepans and rang bells to ‘Thank all those who keep the NHS going’.
So now we are being asked to repay some of the money which the government handed out to keep people and businesses heads above water.
Despite the howls of protest across the media, and MPs of all colours doing their best to undermine the PM, I have yet to find anyone who objects to paying an additional 1.25% NI, if used constructively.
The ‘if’ is all important; a root and branch review of the NHS is overdue. There is waste, too many managers, unnecessary procedures paid for by the ‘public purse’, and not enough nurses or doctors. Also, patients must resume face to face access to GPs.
Social services need a dedicated Tsar to ensure funds are directed where needed - into the pockets of carers.
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