Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between the quantity and quality of lorry parking facilities and the (1) number, and (2) diversity, of lorry drivers.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what forecasts they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities for each year up to 2030.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support efforts to remove foreign mercenary groups from Libya.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working closely with its international partners and United Nations to reinvigorate the political process in Libya. We support Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to outline a way forward to a unified Government. As UN Security Council penholder, the UK engages internationally to support SRSG Bathily's efforts, particularly with the region. The UK regularly calls for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and works closely with Libyan interlocutors through the Security Working Group on disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of Libya's security actors.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Morocco regarding the withdrawal of its support for militia in the west of Libya.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working closely with its international partners and United Nations to reinvigorate the political process in Libya. We support Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to outline a way forward to a unified Government. As UN Security Council penholder, the UK engages internationally to support SRSG Bathily's efforts, particularly with the region. The UK regularly calls for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and works closely with Libyan interlocutors through the Security Working Group on disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of Libya's security actors.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Egypt regarding the withdrawal of its support for the militia in the east of Libya.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working closely with its international partners and United Nations to reinvigorate the political process in Libya. We support Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to outline a way forward to a unified Government. As UN Security Council penholder, the UK engages internationally to support SRSG Bathily's efforts, particularly with the region. The UK regularly calls for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and works closely with Libyan interlocutors through the Security Working Group on disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of Libya's security actors.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to bring about a unified government in Libya.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is working closely with its international partners and United Nations to reinvigorate the political process in Libya. We support Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Bathily's efforts to outline a way forward to a unified Government. As UN Security Council penholder, the UK engages internationally to support SRSG Bathily's efforts, particularly with the region. The UK regularly calls for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and works closely with Libyan interlocutors through the Security Working Group on disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of Libya's security actors.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of individual departmental budgets is spent on logistics, whether by dedicated contract or as part of a broader contract.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Records of spending at this level of granularity are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to assess and meet the needs of the logistics industry as an integral part of the UK economy to ensure that the sector is able to grow to meet the demands of the broader economy.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This government is implementing plans and policies targeted at the needs of and raising the status of the UK freight and logistics sector. The 2022 ‘Future of Freight: A long-term plan’ was developed in close collaboration with industry and sets out a cross-modal approach towards a freight and logistics sector that is cost efficient, reliable, resilient, environmentally sustainable and valued by society.
Implementing the Future of Freight plan is ongoing, and we are determined to deliver favourable results to our long-term growth plans by encouraging technological innovation, strengthening the skills pipeline, enabling the transition to Net Zero, improving the planning system, and increasing visibility through a National Freight Network. My department continuously engages with the Freight Council and the broader freight industry to accomplish this. We have made significant investments including £7million through the Freight Innovation Fund, £645,000 through the Generation Logistics campaign, as well as a joint investment of up to £100 million from the freight and logistics industry and government to enhance roadside facilities and safer rest areas for HGV drivers.
We also recognise the scale of the ambitions held by the logistics industry to meet the demands of a decarbonised economy and are working in partnership with them through the jointly developed Freight Energy Forum to address the provision of the energy and fuel infrastructure that will support the transition of the logistics sector to net zero by 2050.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many professionals are part of the Generation Logistics Ambassadors Network.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Assessments of Generation Logistics have been completed by both the Department for Transport and the industry campaign programme team. Positive messages about the logistics sector and its career pathways have been spread amongst under-represented groups through the first year of the campaign. It exceeded expectations by achieving over 3.5 million engagements with social media activities and 789,000 visits to its online hub. Since establishing an Ambassadors Network, over 330 logistics professionals are now championing this important sector through engagement opportunities with young people.
We consider Generation Logistics to have been successful in its aim of raising awareness of, and positive sentiment towards, the logistics sector. Following the launch of its second year in October, we continue to work closely with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics UK, and all the campaign sponsors and partners, to ensure this messaging reaches young people in schools and colleges. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the campaign as it progresses through its second year to determine the merits of further funding.