Christmas 2015: Driver shortage could delay deliveries over festive period

Study shows huge fall in availability in temporary and contract staff in recent weeks, especially drivers

Our shopping patterns have changed, with Britons expected to spend about £25bn online this Christmas (Getty)

Deliveries of goods for Christmas could be hit by a shortage of drivers, a new report shows.

A study by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation showed a huge fall in the availability of temporary and contract staff in recent weeks, especially drivers.

Chief executive Kevin Green warned that the skills crisis facing some sectors could make it a “sad” Christmas.

“More than two thirds of recruiters that supply drivers said a shortage of candidates will cause chaos for shops and delayed deliveries for shoppers,” he said.

The Road Haulage Association warned in October that the sector was short of up to 50,000 workers. “Thousands of older drivers are leaving the industry and younger people can’t afford the £3,000 for a truck licence,” said its chief executive, Richard Burnett.

“What young person can find £3,000 without some help? This shortage is grave and presents a real threat to Christmas and to economic growth.”

Last Christmas the country’s second-largest delivery firm, Yodel, had to temporarily suspend new collections in mid-December and warn that packages would be up to three days late.

More parcels than ever are expected to be delivered in the UK this festive season. Meanwhile, supply chain expert LCP Consulting says as many as one in 10 discounted packages bought on Black Friday and Cyber Monday last month will arrive later than their advertised delivery slots due to the sudden rush of online shopping.

However, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation had brighter news for the rest of the economy as extra staff are hired for the Christmas period.

“Businesses are confident, with more people finding permanent jobs each month and pay increasing, which is a great way to cap a bumper year for the UK labour market,” said Mr Green.

“Such is the demand for staff that the availability of people to fill temporary roles has fallen at the sharpest rate in 18 years.

“In part this has been driven by businesses taking on additional staff for the Christmas period.”

Press Association