Britain facing food crisis unless new lorry drivers are recruited

[EC]

Britain could be facing a food shortage crisis unless urgent action is taken to recruit new lorry drivers, experts have warned.

Pressure is mounting on Chancellor George Osborne to announce support for the training of new drivers in this week’s budget, as experts warn that Britain could be facing a shortage of 45,000 drivers.

The crisis could potentially result in food shortages this Easter, as families prepare to stock up for celebrations.

According to the Freight Transport Association, more than 20,000 drivers have left the wheel since September, after a new training certificate meant that drivers had to complete an extra 35 hours training, and were forced to fork out £500 to do so.

But now, George Osborne is being encouraged to ‘dig deep’ and find £150 million to increase the training, before supermarket supplies reach dangerously low levels.

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2015/03/15/britain-facing-food-crisis-unless-new-lorry-drivers-are-recruited-5104575/

So - is this an appropriate use of government, or should the free market sort it out?

[mountaineer]

It's just like the US - if there were more of an incentive to work, rather than lay about on the dole, you might find guys willing to take the job.  Seems to me the trucking companies should pony up for any training their existing drivers require, though.