Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his statement on 10 September 2021, Transport update, HCWS282, what discussions he has had with (a) companies and (b) trade unions regarding differences in terms of employment offered to administrative and management staff in the logistics sector as compared to those offered to HGV drivers employed by the same companies.

The Government has put in place 32 interventions to tackle the acute shortage of HGV drivers. However, the Government does not intervene in the levels of pay in private businesses, with the exception of setting the rates for the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. In addition, the relevant employment legislation sets minimum standards for workers’ rights and the government regulates HGV drivers’ hours.

We are aware that levels of HGV driver pay are rising and more options are being made available for flexible working, fixed hours, fixed days, full-time and part-time.

Ministers and officials meet periodically with industry bodies, companies and trade unions to discuss a wide range of issues relating to HGV driver recruitment and retention.