Explained: What is causing food shortages in the UK?

What's Happening in the UK?

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The Scenario in the UK

In the UK, there has been a shortage in the labor force in the food industry. In addition to this, the truck drivers are causing supply chain issues in the availability of food products.

These labor force shortages are driven by factors related to the Covid 19 pandemic as well as Brexit after which the UK has witnessed an exodus of some workers out of the country.

What explains the labour shortages in the UK?

The British Poultry Council (BPC) notes that numerous sectors and businesses across the UK are facing labour shortages. Following Brexit, there has been a continuous exodus of workers who are not the permanent residents of the UK.

The problem of workforce shortage has been intensifying because some retailers are paying sign-on bonuses to poach drivers from their suppliers. This, in turn, is making it difficult for manufacturers to move their products to distribution centres, and also transport ingredients and goods to manufacturing sites.

Why is there a shortage of truck drivers?

The national shortage of lorry drivers has been caused by the departure of many EU workers following Brexit and there have been delays to driver training and testing.

Brexit has brought an increase in custom regulations and regulations such as the Kent lorry permit. Brexit means every lorry has to be checked. Time delays at the border increase costs for drivers. Given there is no shortage of work on the continent, it becomes less attractive to come to UK where the driver has to deal with more paperwork.