Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to tackle the shortage of HGV drivers; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing drivers to convert HGV licences obtained in Australia, and other countries, for use in the UK.

We have taken decisive action to address the acute HGV driver shortage, with 30 specific measures taken by the Government already. These include providing support and training for new HGV drivers, expanding HGV driver testing capacity and improving licencing processes. We are also investing £32.5 million in improving roadside facilities for hauliers. We will continue to encourage the road haulage industry to make employment as an HGV driver more attractive.

The exchange of HGV licences for a UK equivalent is dependent on training, testing and licensing standards in the issuing country being equivalent to those in the UK. Applications for recognition are subject to assessment of testing and licensing standards, public consultation, introduction of legislation and agreement of reciprocity. Currently only EU/EEA, Swiss, Crown Dependency and Gibraltar HGV licences are recognised for exchange in the UK.

Our points-based immigration system makes clear that employers should focus on investing in our domestic workforce, rather than relying on labour from abroad.