OPINION: Is the lorry driver shortage over? Probably not, says James Bielby, chief executive, FWD

Has the HGV driver shortage gone away? Probably not, unfortunately, and the improved service and availability levels you’ve been getting from your wholesalers since Christmas may be threatened as demand increases between now and Easter.

Last week, a group of MPs took evidence from supply chain representatives on how the kind of disruption we experienced before Christmas can be avoided in future. The answer was that although the situation has stabilised since the turn of the year, it’s more to do with the traditionally lower demand in January and February than a sudden, dramatic increase in recruitment of HGV drivers.