Ready steady Queue

[Deleted member 55947]

This is exactly what I can't work out. Most EU citizens could have stayed in the UK post Brexit if they wanted.

The Govt estimated there’d be 3m applying for settled status whereas the latest figure is 6m.

The UK isn’t running out of fuel it’s running out of common sense

 

[Rich764089]

The Govt estimated there’d be 3m applying for settled status whereas the latest figure is 6m.

The UK isn’t running out of fuel it’s running out of common sense

6m?!?! Wow. Rapid change to the population it's been.

 

[T5R+]

Truck driver shortage is only partly due to "European" cousins. Other big drivers are eg

• aged drivers
• lack of tests
• IR35
• young people not entering
• locked in rates (with end customer by carrier)

Last decade plus had seen a race to the bottom with cost models and now it is coming home to roost. Blaming Brexit is a small piece of the causal pie.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi ,

The supply and demand fisasco !

Muppets queuing for fuel gives unscrupulous companies the chance to increase fuel prices at the pump.

How long will it be before fuel will be rationed to reduce green house gas !

Long live the electric car - I don't think so - Most of UK electricity is generated by gas power stations.

 

[Darrell]

I'd have thought that if there was a shortage of HGV drivers, those there are would snap up the short term stupid high rate jobs, secure in the knowledge that once the short-term job is over, they will have no problem going back to where they were before.

Makes perfect sense to me. Follow the £££££

 

[Darrell]

No, these jobs with high rates are for when the normal driver needs his 48hrs off/holidays/etc but the truck needs to work 24/7.

Not permanent jobs

Is any job permanent?

I’ve been self employed since 1988 and I’ve not had one day out due to lack of work.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

These jobs aren't 39 hrs a week jobs, it'll be 2 days here, then a week off, then 2 days, then 4 days off then 1 day, then 3 weeks off etc etc.
Agency fill in work.
No driver would quit a permanent job for this, especially with the long term prospects of it disappearing just as quick as it came about.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

The reason it's big money is the lack of continuity.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , keep clear of Worcester !

 

[Darrell]

These jobs aren't 39 hrs a week jobs, it'll be 2 days here, then a week off, then 2 days, then 4 days off then 1 day, then 3 weeks off etc etc.
Agency fill in work.
No driver would quit a permanent job for this, especially with the long term prospects of it disappearing just as quick as it came about.

The money is good though.

 

[Darrell]

Yes, for UK employees. For the big established companies.
Not cheap foreign agency labour, which is what has gone.

So what’s stopping a Romanian driver getting his visa and working for a big established U.K. company?

He can kip in his wagon and he’ll be quids in.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

Hi , keep clear of Worcester !

Will do.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

The money is good though.

The hourly rate, if it is £68 an hour is unbelievable!
If you get on average 20 hours a week for the next 4-months until the bubble bursts, you've maybe made £200-£300 a week more than you would have, but then someone has took your old job, they are no longer crying out for drivers, so your rate goes down to the normal rate, with less work.

I've been in this situation, going from permanent to agency, then back.

Agency figures always look a world away from 'on the books' figures(£68 is!) But after you've done the maths and been realistic, the on the books job always work out the best, unless you get continuous work(which luckily I did, but then IR35), but now I don't have the worry a month or two before the contract is up etc.

This would be a fabulous opportunity if it was likely to be long term, I don't think it will be.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

So what’s stopping a Romanian driver getting his visa and working for a big established U.K. company?

He can kip in his wagon and he’ll be quids in.

Nothing.

But by the time his visa is sorted the rates won't be £68 any more, they'll be back down to the industry average for agency work....which will be less than the rest of Europe.

This is a bubble which will burst.

Some drivers will make a quick killing but it won't last.
Most sensible drivers will opt for security with a permanent position.

 

[Deleted member 150136]

If It doesn't burst, I will be driving a tanker

 

[markjay]

Whatever you do, don't mention the War that we are not running out of fuel...

 

[Bellow]

Visas for EU workers were never going to be granted until the public had felt some pain (from the 'bumps in the road').

 

[Darrell]

Visas for EU workers were never going to be granted until the public had felt some pain (from the 'bumps in the road').

Says who??

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , the supply problem will take weeks to recover !

 

[Deleted member 150136]

Hi , the supply problem will take weeks to recover !

Thanks