Companies losing 100 workers a month

EU workers leaving the UK is a major threat to the logistics industry, according to the Freight Transport Association. “We have had reports of businesses losing 100 EU nationals a month,” said deputy chief executive James Hookham.

EU nationals are leaving “partly due to uncertainty about the future, alongside improved opportunities at home and the devaluation of the pound, making UK earnings worth less when converted to European currencies,” he said.

Responding to publication of the latest official migration figures, Hookham said: “EU workers are critical to the success of Britain’s supply chain. There are 43,000 EU truck drivers working in the UK and an estimated 120,000 EU warehouse workers.

“They play a vital role in the successful running of warehouses, transport hubs and freight deliveries – moving the goods UK industry and every consumer needs. Without the contribution of EU workers, where are staff for the logistics industry going to come from?

Hookham called on the government to act swiftly and decisively to address the issue. “The mass departure of these workers is a major threat to the logistics and freight sectors. If it escalates, there’s a danger some firms may be left without enough staff to continue trading,” he said.