PUMP IT UP
Millions of drivers warned of UK-wide petrol AND diesel shortage with major supermarkets hit
The looming crisis could also hit home and supermarket deliveries
MILLIONS of drivers have been warned of a nationwide petrol and diesel shortage.
Unless 200,000 new lorry drivers are recruited, a repeat of the 2021 driver shortage could lead to fuel station chaos.
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The Road Haulage Association warned ministers that the logistics industry faces "significant structural challenges".
And reports suggest plans launched four years ago to tackle the trucker shortage have not been as successful as hoped.
The looming crisis could hit home and supermarket deliveries.
Supermarkets such as Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and Sainsbury's rely on a stable supply chain.
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A report said: "2021 was a year of genuine crisis with an HGV driver shortage which saw empty shop shelves, delivery delays and supply chain disruption.
"We must avoid a repeat of this."
Sally Gilson, policy manager at the RHA, said: "We need to keep these young drivers in the sector as we don't want to see people get funded training, get their licence and then leave shortly after.
"We saw quite a number train up, stay for three to six months and then leave the sector."
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The shortage of lorry drivers is also threatening to derail government building plans.
A government spokeswoman said: "We understand the pressures facing the housebuilding industry, which is why we are making sure that they have the skilled workers they need to help us build 1.5 million homes and deliver our new towns.
"Alongside this, we are getting more HGV drivers onto our roads through our Skills Bootcamps, giving people the skills they need to start their career."
Fuel duty STAYS FROZEN
FUEL duty was frozen for a 15th historic year in a massive win for drivers and The Sun's Keep It Down campaign.
The Chancellor used Budget to stop petrol and diesel prices rising with inflation.
And in a huge boost for cash-strapped Brits, Rachel Reeves confirmed the temporary 5p cut will also remain in place.
Motorists have enjoyed frozen rates since 2011 thanks to our campaign with FairFuelUK to protect people at the pump.
If the duty had been allowed to rise in line with inflation since 2010, Britain's drivers would now be paying 93.47p on a litre of fuel rather than the current 52.95p once VAT is included.
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