Staffing problems caused by Covid and Brexit are causing major problems in the UK food industry, as many retailers are having trouble getting products to stores. According to Co-op chief Steve Murrells, his supermarkets are having to reduce some ranges due to the ongoing issues. He stated: ‘The shortages are at a worse level than at any time I have seen.’
Murrells blamed ‘Brexit and issues caused by Covid’ for the crisis. Co-op, which has 4,000 stores in the UK, is now having to re-train staff as lorry drivers to try to address issues in the supply chain.
Experts claim that there are currently 90,000 vacancies in the haulage industry after around 14,000 European lorry drivers left the UK last year. McDonald’s was the latest major name to experience problems yesterday, when it had to take milkshakes off the menu at most of its UK restaurants due to problems transporting ingredients.
As reported on metro.co.uk¸ industry bodies have also warned that Christmas favourites like pigs in blankets could be in short supply during the holiday season.
Christmas is at risk as well
Christmas is at risk unless the government adds HGV drivers to its skilled worker list, the boss of Iceland has warned. Richard Walker said there was a shortage of about 100,000 lorry drivers in the UK. Christmas is almost upon retailers as planning starts now, the supermarket chain boss told bbc.com.
"The reason for sounding the alarm now is that we've already had one Christmas cancelled at the last minute," he said. "I'd hate this one to be problematic as well."
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