A UK government minister has met with industry body Logistics UK and driver training company AIM Commercial Services Ltd to discuss the pressing HGV driver shortage.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Employment at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Mims Davies met with Logistics UK and AIM at AIM’s head office to discuss how best to attract new recruits to driving and to help businesses in need drive the economic recovery from Brexit and the pandemic.

Speaking after the event, Mims Davies MP said: “The haulage sector faces a challenging time, which is why it’s vital we work together to address the barriers to recruitment, and to ensure there is a diverse pipeline of talent ready to take up these roles.  

“I welcome the further talks with hauliers today, on top of the local engagement our JCPs are doing to assist people into this growing sector. I know via our network of Jobcentres we can greatly encourage more people to consider a career in the sector, and are already supporting them to develop the skills and experience needed to take these opportunities, including access to key training as part of our Plan for Jobs.”  

Chris Yarsley, Policy Manager at Logistics UK, commented: “Logistics UK and its members are keen to identify the next generation of the workforce and are grateful to Minister Davies for her time and enthusiasm to find ways to help the sector overcome the recruitment challenges it currently faces. The sector has been finding it hard to attract new recruits for many years, a problem which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but we know that there are potential employees out there.

“Encouraging new entrants into the profession is vital to solve this issue; we were so pleased Mims Davies MP met with Logistics UK and its member A.I.M Commercial Services Ltd, along with seven other logistics businesses, to discuss how government and industry can work together to overcome the barriers to recruitment and help raise awareness of HGV driving as an accessible and attractive career for all.”  

When the pandemic hit there was a national shortage of 76,000 HGV drivers with a large number set to reach retirement age soon thanks to the high median age of UK-citizen HGV drivers. In addition many of those drivers who were from the EU went back home after Brexit, so the industry estimates that the driver shortage is far higher than in March 2020.

Allison Kemp, Managing Director of A.I.M Commercial Services Ltd and Chair of Logistics UK’s Road Council, commented: “It was great to have the opportunity to meet the Minister today. I sincerely hope this meeting is another piece in the jigsaw to help find solutions for and finally resolve this long-standing shortage issue for our sector.”

The GMB Union has announced it has plans for national strike action at UK delivery company Yodel. The union said that it plans to bring the entire Yodel network to a standstill in the context of a national shortage of HGV drivers
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HGV drivers nationally have asked the GMB to ballot for strike action, which could lead to industrial action during the summer. This could lead to Yodel being unable to guarantee the transport of parcels between its hubs and depots.

Drivers up and down the country have asked the GMB to ballot for strike action, and this could well lead to industrial action during the coming peak summer trading period.

It has been widely reported that the long-standing shortage of HGV drivers in the UK has worsened since Brexit. In an attempt to manage the impact of this, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced a temporary extension of drivers’ permitted working hours. In the longer term, we believe it is likely that employers of HGV drivers, such as parcels carriers, will face increased costs as driver pay levels inevitably rise to attract more people to the industry.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “GMB has repeatedly tried to get Yodel to understand the strength of feeling from our driver members around these issues.

“GMB’s driver members are resolute and will continue the fight until Yodel sees sense. 

“Picking a fight with a group of organised LGV1 drivers at a time of mass driver shortages is an act of corporate self-sabotage from Yodel. 

“Our members have the power to bring their whole distribution network to a standstill during one of their busiest times – yet Yodel carries on regardless.

“Anyone looking to use Yodel deliveries this summer should think again.

“GMB will not allow Yodel to rob our hard-working members of annual leave, to impose unfair schedules, to breach collective agreements and to treat agency drivers better than their own loyal staff.”

A spokesperson for Yodel said: “We are aware of the GMB’s comments and are continuing our discussions, with further meetings planned.”

UK two-person delivery company ArrowXL has announced a new partnership with multi-carrier delivery solutions provider Parcelhub.

Working with Parcelhub, ArrowXL is to offer small and medium companies access to the ArrowXL Lite, Standard and Platinum services through the Parcelhub Web Despatch and Tracking portals. Their customers will be offered a range of additional benefits including nominated delivery day, packaging removal and WEEE disposal/recycling. 

With its partnership with ArrowXL, Parcelhub now has a portfolio of more than 20 carriers and 600 delivery services. This enables smaller businesses to offer more shipping options and greater flexibility with larger items such as TVs, gym equipment, furniture and garden accessories.

Steve Riley, IT Director at Parcelhub, said: “Many of our existing customers required the capability to integrate a range of 2-man delivery services. ArrowXL offered a perfect solution and worked with our Senior Developers to quickly roll out the integration, from conception to testing within two months.”

Craig Kavanagh, Sales Director at ArrowXL commented: “We’re delighted to have formed such a dynamic partnership with Parcelhub, integrating into their IT platform makes our proposition very attractive to SME companies.  The transition has been seamless so far and we hope to continue growing our offering and exceeding our customers’ expectations.”   

UK online gifts and cards retailer Moonpig is taking advantage of Royal Mail’s new Sunday delivery service. The retailer started using the service ahead of this year’s Fathers Day.

Moonpig has been using Royal Mail since the year 2000. This year, the online retailer delivered over 60,000 gifts and cards. Royal Mail has introduced the service that applies to Royal Mail Tracked 24 parcels, in response to customer demand for quick delivery, seven days a week.

Tony Bannister, Shipping Director at Moonpig said: “We have an intelligent operations network that enables us to have the best range and the latest cut off times for personalised cards and gifts anywhere in the market. We continue to work incredibly hard and keep innovating with our partners like Royal Mail to provide an exceptional service to our customers. This was a significant milestone to allow our customers to send cards and gifts for the first time that arrived on Father’s Day itself, making the day even more special for Dads.

“We’ve had a record breaking Father’s Day this year, with well over a million Dads receiving a card or gift from Moonpig. The response on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, with smiling faces and happy families all around the country.”

Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail said: “We have been delivering for Moonpig for many years and have now extended our partnership to a seven-day service. We always listen to our customers and Sunday deliveries has been one of the services they have been asking for. The UK already trusts us to deliver their purchases six days a week both quickly and conveniently. Now our posties are doing the same thing seven days a week.”

Mail, parcels, e-fulfilment and contact centres company Whistl has been awarded the Investors in People ‘We Invest in People’ standard accreditation. Though a longstanding member of IIP for many years, the recent audit now includes the two acquisitions Whistl Fulfilment and Parcelhub.

“We’d like to congratulate Whistl. Being accredited with ‘We invest in people’ is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Whistl in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people,” commented Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People.

The accreditation means that the principles and practises around supporting its staff are in place and that they all understand how to use them to improve their output. IIP research shows that such supporting practices deliver sustainable results, with up to a 17% increase in productivity and 21% greater profitability.

“Our Learning and Development team is committed to ensuring that everyone in Whistl has the knowledge, skills and expertise to perform to consistently high standards and achieve their potential. Despite the challenges of the past year, we have been able to secure this updated accreditation across the expanded business and I am grateful to everyone for their efforts,” added Nick Wells, CEO, Whistl.

Hermes UK is to publicise its support of Hull based homelessness charity Emmaus by showcasing it on its fleet of vehicles. Hermes UK became a corporate partner of the UK homelessness charity in November last year and has committed to supporting the charity’s aim to give the people it works with a home, meaningful work as well as a sense of belonging.

Through its fundraising activities with clients and employees, Hermes UK is aiming to raise a minimum of £100,000. At the same time it is looking at other ways to support Emmaus including providing work experience to the homeless, as well as running technology and interview training workshops, and donating items that they need.

Following 22% growth in business in the last six months, Luton and Dunstable based GB Couriers has made three new senior appointments to its company.

GB Couriers is part of The APC network, the largest independent parcel delivery network in the UK. To support projected future growth it has appointed Alanah Kinsella as Depot Manager, to lead the team through the next stage of business growth and to continue building and strengthening GB Couriers’ partnership with customers across the region. In addition Mike Redfern has been appointed Business Development Manager, a role which will see him utilise decades of experience in customer relations management in order to provide great service solutions and support the continued growth of GB Couriers’ customers. Finally, Bee Saleem has been appointed Customer Service Executive, ensuring that SME customers have a day-to-day contact to assist with any enquiries. 

The three new management staff join the team of 15 at GB Couriers and will help build on its Overnight parcel collection and delivery service to local businesses across the LU1-LU7 postcodes.

Alanah Kinsella, new Depot Manager at GB Couriers, said: “Having only just joined the business I’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer resilience and entrepreneurialism shown by SMEs across the region, with many of our customers thriving despite the challenges of the last year. We are dedicated to supporting the resilience of our customers, providing them with a customer focused service and a local team, working hard in partnership with them, to help them flourish in the years ahead.”

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at APC Overnight, said: “The strength and determination of the UK’s SMEs continues to prevail. Throughout the first half of 2021 – and even as lockdown restrictions have eased – we are still seeing high demand for delivery services, as consumers continue to shop online and businesses continue to rely on carriers to get these items delivered. The ongoing dedication and hard work of our colleagues at GB Couriers will be key to supporting this, ensuring that the needs of customers are recognised, and working closely with them to ensure those needs are met.”

Industry body Logistics UK has called on the government to speed up its promised creation of more safe parking places for drivers on their breaks.  Michelle Gardner, Head of Public Policy at Logistics UK said that the shortage of such safe parking places is contributing to the national HGV driver shortage that impedes trade in the UK:

“Logistics UK is pressing the Department for Transport (DfT) to take urgent action to tackle the nationwide shortage of parking spaces for HGV drivers; the findings of today’s report – that 56% of respondents rate the availability of spaces for lorries as fairly poor or very poor – reconfirms a desperate industry need. Three years ago, the government pledged to increase the availability of secure, safe parking spaces for lorry drivers – who work tirelessly to transport the goods the nation needs – but it has not yet delivered on its promise. With the industry already needing to fill 76,000 HGV driver vacancies, the parking shortage and resultant need, on occasion, for drivers to take legally mandated breaks in unsafe locations could discourage new entrants from joining the profession.”

Ms Gardner continued: “Our members need government to listen carefully to the concerns of businesses shared in the report. The logistics industry needs an efficient and fully maintained road network, with plentiful supplies of good quality parking options, to operate effectively; this is vital to enable logistics businesses to support the economic recovery of UK PLC.”

Nancy Hobhouse is to be Hermes UK’s Head of Environment and Social Governance (ESG). In her previous role she was senior sustainability manager at John Lewis Partnership.

The role is newly-created and in it, Hobhouse is to spearhead and lead Hermes UK’s ESG strategy. As Head of ESG she will look at every aspect of the business from product development to operational changes to help reduce the environmental impact of the carrier. At the same time she is to lead the carrier’s reporting on ESG.

Fash Sawyerr, chief transformation officer at Hermes UK, said: “Nancy’s appointment is designed to accelerate the good work that is already well underway in this area and take it to the next level in line with our ESG ambitions and commitments. Nancy has excellent experience of driving similar programmes and will be a great asset to the team.”

Nancy Hobhouse, said: “The Hermes team has shown real passion for the environment, social and governance (ESG) and I am very much looking forward to joining to help bring the business to the forefront of this agenda.”

UK fleet contract leasing Zenith Commercial is to rebrand all the commercial vehicle operations business services group Zenith owns under one brand. This follows the acquisition of Cartwright Fleet Services, finance sales and rentals in September last year, and forms the latest phase of the Zenith integration strategy.

As part of the integration, Contract Vehicles Limited (CVL) and Contract Vehicles Fleet Services Limited (CVFS) will trade as Zenith Commercial Fleet Solutions. Contract Vehicles Rentals Limited will now trade as Zenith Trailer Rentals. Both are the commercial vehicle division of Zenith and are managed by an executive board led by Martin Jenkins.

Commenting on the rebrand, Martin Jenkins, CEO of Zenith Commercial and group strategy director, said: “Through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, we have created the UK’s leading commercial vehicle leasing, rental, maintenance and fleet management business with over 50,000 vehicles under direct contract and incorporating a 7,000 strong specialist trailer rental fleet. The company also has a significant presence in the white label service market.

“The combined scale and breadth of our operations means our servicing and maintenance capabilities have been materially enhanced with the combination of direct delivery capability through one of the largest mobile technician fleets in the UK, strategically located in-house workshops and on-site vehicle maintenance unit teams, and our extensive national network of third-party specialist repair agents.”