The Army has been put on standby to deliver supplies to supermarkets as Britain faces a shortage of 100,000 truck drivers.
Around 2,000 qualified HGV drivers are reported to be on a five-day notice to assist with the supplies of resources and essentials such as medicine.
The government is expected to make a formal demand for military assistance ‘immediately,’ with the Royal Logistics Corps and other regiments expected to be called upon by the end of September.
The crisis is thought to have been exacerbated by the so-called ‘pingdemic’ which has forced thousands of drivers to go into self-isolation.
It also comes amid growing fears over empty supermarket shelves, with Sainsbury’s warned of shortages last month, in part due to a shortage of lorry drivers.
‘All Army personnel with HGV qualifications are receiving messages,’ a source told The Sun on Sunday.
‘They are being put on five-day standby notice for driving jobs at major distribution centres around the country.
‘Soldiers will be put up in hotels where necessary and will be working extended hours to assist with the crisis.
They will be responsible for the food distribution as well as the transportation of other essential goods and medical supplies.’ The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that there will be a shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers as a result of the lockdown, which has created a significant backlog of thousands of people waiting to take their HGV test.
The intervention will take place under Operation Rescript, part of the military’s ongoing efforts to tackle the pandemic.
But truckers slammed the relaxation of rules as ‘stupid and dangerous’ – as critics accused the Government of relying on short-term solutions.
Rod McKenzie, RHA managing director of policy and public affairs, said the issue posed a “very serious threat” to the supply chain.
‘There is a critical shortage of lorry drivers, and the government is responding with short-term solutions,’ he said.
Mr McKenzie feels that drafting people into the army will not solve the situation.
‘The Army will be brought in as the government’s next step. In the Army, there are 2,000 qualified HGV drivers. We’re short 100,000 lorry drivers,’ he claimed.
‘Another issue is Army drivers are used to driving Army lorries and not civilian vehicles.
‘Once again, they are using a short-term fix. It is not a good idea. We need to address what to do to get another 100,000 drivers.’
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