Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent finding that only one per cent of HGV drivers are female; and what plans they have to address this situation.

The Government is aware of the demographic imbalances in the HGV driver workforce including the lack of women drivers, under 25s and drivers from ethnic minorities. Addressing these issues and creating a workforce that will better reflect society will be key to permanently solving the driver shortage.

This will be for the industry to lead but the Government will continue to support where it can, such as improving the accessibility of facilities for women drivers and increasing the provision of overnight lorry parking.