HGVC has been reappointed to lead the Government’s extended Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving, aimed at training thousands in England to become HGV drivers over the next two years. The program, initially launched in December 2021 and extended to February 2026, includes an additional £50 million in funding.

The initiative focuses on helping employers upskill their staff to address the driver shortage. HGVC aim to primarily assist drivers in obtaining Category C and Category C+E lorry licences.

Since its launch, HGVC has trained around 1,800 drivers, with many securing jobs with starting salaries up to £40,000. The training programs have attracted a diverse group of trainees, including a higher representation of women and ethnic minorities compared to the overall UK HGV driving sector. The extended Skills Bootcamps will be available from February 2024, targeting businesses looking to upskill existing staff. Training is accessible at 60 locations nationwide.

James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, praised the initiative as a critical step in addressing the long-term driver shortage and highlighted the opportunity it presents for employers to upskill their staff with government support. The Skills Bootcamps form part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee, with a total commitment of £257 million for various Skills Bootcamps.

Young drivers in the UK are grappling with record-high car insurance costs, with some premiums reaching nearly £3,000. Data from confused.com shows a significant rise in insurance rates for 17-20 year olds, increasing by over £1,000 since last year. The overall average increase in car insurance is 58% compared to last January.

Steve Dukes, CEO of confused.com, links the rise to increased claims post Covid, higher prices for second hand cars, and increased repair costs. The demand for used cars spiked during the pandemic due to a shortage of computer chips and manufacturing materials, leading to a 31% price increase in March 2022 as reported by the Office for National Statistics.

Average insurance premiums for all drivers have climbed by £366 to £995, with 17-year-olds now paying around £2,877 and 18-year-olds facing an average of £3,162. Strategies to mitigate costs include adding experienced drivers to the policy.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recognises the steep costs but suggests there are ways to reduce them. They stress the necessity of having insurance coverage and advise those struggling to consult their insurers. The ABI points out that insurance costs correlate with risk levels, and younger drivers typically have higher claim costs.

Developer Chancerygate has proposed the construction of a 59,500 sq. ft Grade A Urban Logistics and industrial space in Clayton, East Manchester, named Eastside. This potential development could generate up to 60 jobs. The scheme will feature nine units, varying from 4,000 to 14,000 sq. ft, available for purchase or lease, with an estimated development value of £15m.

Located on a 2.3-acre site, previously home to Walkers Printing facility, Eastside is conveniently situated on Crabtree Lane, less than three miles from Manchester City Centre and close to the M60 motorway. The area already houses a retail development with Aldi, Subway and Greggs.

Adjacent to Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad campus and the forthcoming £365m Co-Op Live entertainment venue, the Eastside project aligns with the Eastlands Regeneration Area. Each unit will incorporate environmentally friendly features like electric vehicle charging points and solar panels, aiming for an excellent energy efficiency rating.

Chris Brown, Chancerygate's development director, emphasised the critical need for quality industrial and logistics space for SMEs in East Manchester. He noted the development's strategic location, making it attractive across various sectors and contributing to the area's ongoing large-scale regeneration.

Chancerygate is actively involved in developing approximately 2.65 million sq. ft of urban logistics space across 19 sites from Edinburgh to Chichester.

In the last year, there's been a notable increase in aggressive incidents targeting commercial fleet drivers, both from thieves and the general public. This issue was the focus of a recent event by SureCam and PeopleSafe, where experts in fleet management and safety gathered to discuss strategies for driver and lone worker protection.

Lee Jackson of the Association of Fleet Professionals reported more frequent attacks, especially in high-risk areas such as Greater London with people often targeting vehicles and high-end equipment. Mark Ryder from PeopleSafe also noted a significant rise in road rage incidents, leading to harassment of commercial fleet drivers during their routine duties.

Philip Read, Head of Safety, Health, Risk & Resilience at G4S added: “While serious incidents within our health and patient transport services, as well as elsewhere in the business, are often sporadic, they are on the rise and can represent a significant threat to our drivers and passengers. The safety of our staff and patients is paramount, and with many of our drivers single-crewed and working autonomously, so our challenge is how we address this issue and provide the level of lone worker protection needed?”

The panel focused on the need for cultural and organizational shifts in the fleet sector to improve lone worker safety. They emphasized the importance of risk assessment, understanding threats, and developing effective safety plans. Key strategies identified included sharing experiences, reporting hazards, and conducting safety training.

Global logistics giant DP World is investing £15 million in a new welfare facility for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers at its Southampton hub, according to reports. The construction of the 7,500 square metre site has commenced, featuring amenities such as a restaurant, cafe, bathrooms, showers and secure parking for over 120 lorries with 24-hour security.

Southampton City Council has approved the project, anticipating benefits such as alleviating residential traffic concerns and reducing transport emissions in the area. DP World acquired a land lease from port operator Associated British Ports earlier in 2023.

Jonathan Scott, DP World Southampton's Head of Engineering, emphasised the importance of investing in the well-being of drivers, stating, "With our £15 million investment in this outstanding new facility for drivers, we are contributing to a crucial part of the supply chain. Recognising the pressure to manage costs, maintain reliability, and improve speed, we understand the significance of taking care of the people on whom supply chains depend.

DP World, committed to investing £1 billion in UK operations over a decade, currently manages logistics and port facilities in 78 countries, handling an estimated 10% of global trade. In September of the same year, the company introduced the Modal Shift Programme in the UK, encouraging cargo owners to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning from road to rail.