Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing trained HGV drivers from Zimbabwe to take up residency in the UK to help alleviate the shortage of HGV drivers.

The Department for Transport are leading measures to address shortages, including ramping up testing capacity, alongside encouraging employers to tackle longstanding issues in the sector through more investment in skills and training, along with better pay and working conditions (including facilities). These measures are a more effective solution to issues facing the sector, rather than immigration – especially given the current global shortage of drivers.

Turning to those who have trained as a HGV Driver in Zimbabwe, they would be unable to drive a HGV vehicle on UK roads unless they also held a UK, EEA or Swiss driving licence for the relevant category of HGV vehicle. These are the only licences recognised in the UK for this purpose.