Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of labour availability for businesses that rely on drivers with Category C1 entitlement.

The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of labour availability for businesses that rely on drivers with Category C1 entitlement.

The Department considered evidence on Category C1 driving licence entitlement as part of the 2022 driving licensing call for evidence, which included whether changes could widen the recruitment pool for medium-sized goods vehicle drivers. The Department keeps the driver licensing framework under review to ensure it remains safe, proportionate and consistent with the UK’s international obligations.