The UK will grant up to 10,500 temporary work visas in response to labor shortages, an unexpected turn in immigration after Brexit, taken on Saturday September 25 by the government.
These three-month permits, from October to December, should make up for a glaring shortage of truck drivers but also of staff in key sectors of the British economy, such as poultry farming.
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In recent days and despite calls from the government not to panic, gas stations have been taken by storm due to stockouts which also affect the shelves of agri-food products.
So far, the government has not responded to calls urging it to deploy troops to help distribute the fuel.
Other exceptional measures expected
This decision to reopen the floodgates of professional immigration goes against the line defended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose government continues to insist that the United Kingdom no longer depends on the workforce. foreign work.
For months, the government tried to avoid it, despite warnings from many economic sectors and the estimated shortage of 100,000 truck drivers.
In addition to these work visas, other exceptional measures should ensure supplies before the Christmas holidays, said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
Examiners from the Ministry of Defense will be mobilized to pass thousands of heavy vehicle permits in the coming weeks.
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The Department of Education and its partner agencies will release millions of pounds to train 4,000 truckers by setting up training camps to step up the pace.
Mr. Shapps also called on employers to play the game "
by continuing to improve working conditions and wages to retain new drivers
".
An "insufficient" number of visas
Under pressure, the government will beat the recall of all HGV license holders: a million letters must go to ask those who do not drive to return to work.
However, the president of the British Chamber of Commerce Ruby McGregor-Smith considered that the number of visas was "
insufficient
" and "
not enough to solve a problem of this magnitude
".
“
This ad is like wanting to put out a campfire with a glass of water,
” she said.
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Boris Johnson was facing increasing pressure.
The Covid-19 crisis and the consequences of Brexit have accentuated the shortages, which are combined with soaring energy prices.
Factories, restaurants, supermarkets have been affected by the lack of truck drivers for weeks, even months.
Frozen food group Iceland and retail company Tesco have warned of shortages heading into Christmas.
Fast food chain McDonald's ran out of milkshakes and drinks last month.
Competitor KFC has been forced to remove items from its menu, while the Nando's chain has temporarily closed dozens of restaurants for lack of chickens.
