Inside Story

What is behind the UK’s truck driver shortage?

Fuel companies say there is no shortage but a severe lack of tanker drivers to deliver the fuel, while gov’t blames panic buying.

It’s not something often seen in the United Kingdom – drivers waiting for hours in long queues at the petrol station to fill their cars.

The British government has said panic buying is partly to blame for the pumps running dry.

Fuel companies said there is no shortage but a severe lack of tanker drivers to deliver the fuel.

The government has responded by granting temporary work visas to 5,000 drivers and putting the army on standby.

The driver shortage has also affected supermarkets, leaving shelves empty.

Is Brexit to blame? Has the crisis exposed deeper problems within the trucking industry and supply chains?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Dougie Rankine – Truck driver and editor of Truck and Driver Magazine.

Vicky Pryce – Chief economic adviser at Centre for Economics and Business Research.

Temidayo Akenroye – Senior lecturer, procurement and supply chain management, Liverpool, John Moores University.