Tag: shortage of drivers

First It Was Loo Roll. Now, It’s a Fuel Shortage.

Posted on by News Desk

You know what this is about, don’t you? If you haven’t heard about the fuel shortage, then you’re one of the lucky few.

There is a certain name for people who panic buy. And unfortunately, it has been happening all too often lately. 

Why is this happening?

Here are a few reasons and excuses being thrown around for the supposed fuel shortage:

  • Shortage of drivers. According to reports, the situation just seems to be getting worse and worse, doesn’t it? Despite the government’s attempts to get it under control.
  • Brexit. It’s basically been described as a huge circle of hell, according to several sources.
  • Covid-19. Several workers are now returning to the office. Many of these employees are having to once again get into their cars, and drive into work. The higher demand, alongside other issues, is having a direct effect on fuel.
  • PANIC BUYING. Possibly the main culprit here. It has happened before and it is happening again. 

Perhaps, they are all connected?

Now, we’re not judging you. Especially if you’re one of the many that have panicked, and driven on down to your local petrol station at 90 miles per hour…

Okay, maybe we are a little bit. But there is a very good reason why. Let’s consider those of you who are reading this and desperately require fuel for work purposes. Those of you who are keyworkers, delivery drivers, cab or taxi drivers, or van drivers. 

There is a myriad of occupations that a van driver could have. It is highly likely that whatever that job is, you’re going to need your van for it. Unfortunately, a lot of the people queueing out there who are desperate for fuel may not be doing it for the right reasons. 

What next?

Have the queues and shortages affected you in any way? We found ourselves queueing for an hour this evening. Our neighbour (a nurse) drove to four different petrol stations before she could get 30 quids’ worth. 

The government has reassured the public to continue buying fuel as normal. We’re pretty sure panic buying doesn’t constitute as normal. So, let’s all calm down, shall we?

If you haven’t been able to fuel up your van these past couple of days, here is some good news. You’re only 3 minutes away from accessing seriously cheap van insurance. Fill out this form and let us take care of the rest.

Drive in Hiring New Delivery Drivers to Cost Company Millions

Posted on by News Desk

Can you guess which company it is?

The story has been doing the rounds all week.

Okay, fine, we won’t keep you in suspense.

Drum roll, please… It’s only everyone’s favourite online supermarket that goes by the name, Ocado. 

Just What Has Ocado Been Up to?

By now, you have likely heard about the serious fuss over delivery driver shortages in the UK.

Unless, of course, you live under a rock.

To attract more employees, Ocado is advertising their delivery driver roles using everyone’s most hated best friend: money.

By offering higher wages and bonuses, they hope these incentives will fill the delivery driver void.

Why are Ocado Offering Higher Wages to Drivers?

Recently, it was confirmed by the UK government, that HGV tests would be sped up and also made easier.

You may have read about it in one of our previous blog posts. 

So, following this news, Ocado hopes their soaring wages will be motivation enough for drivers to want to join them.

At the moment, it is estimated that we are short of around a whopping 90,000 drivers.

Eek.

Naturally, this has caused disruption to supermarket supply chains, fuel and all sorts of other goods.

Are you one of the many thousands who have been affected by the shortages? 

So, What Are Ocado Moaning About?

In paying you lot higher wages and bonuses (as they should), they are estimating it will cost the company an additional £5 million (at least). 

However, we’re hoping this trend of paying our fellow delivery driver higher salaries continues.

Especially as Ocado are not the first to brag about this.

In fact, John Lewis and Aldi have also recently decided to up their delivery driver wages.

Tesco has also jumped on board the bandwagon and are offering decent bonus packages to join them, too. 

Let’s hope these higher paid wages and bonuses are enough to entice delivery drivers back, eh?

Where are you all? We miss you. 

For those of you who are still in the profession, or looking to join, it’s a good thing you’ve stumbled upon this blog post.

The first thing you need to do is to consider van insurance.

There are additional details you need to consider as a delivery driver, too. 

Find out all you need to know about cheap van insurance by completing this quick 3-minute form.

Amazon Ditches Drug Testing to Combat Driver Shortage

Posted on by News Desk

Drive it, 420.

We’re not actually sure if that makes sense, but that’s what the folks in America have decided.

For once, this isn’t a post about electric vans…

So, this week’s news comes from the other side of the pond.

Quite a big pond, actually, as this is news from the ol’ U.S. of A.

Just as the UK has been experiencing delivery driver shortages here, the same has been happening across the US. 

Now, there’s a number of reasons that have been suggested for the shortage in the UK…

We’ve seen stuff about Covid-19 and the ‘Pingdemic’, Brexit, and all sorts of excuses.

Our suspicions are that it probably involves many reasons, so we won’t point the blame anywhere specific.

Whilst the US can’t blame Brexit, they are still suffering from delivery problems.

And so, they’ve used some initiative. 

In America, some states have legalised cannabis, but not ALL of them.

Now, delivery companies are specifically advertising job listings, that stipulate that there is no mandatory drug testing.

This is a particular company, by the way.

You may have heard of them before…

Say, does Amazon ring a bell?

Not only Amazon drivers, but also all the other delivery companies it sub-contracts with.

They’re facing a serious dilemma. Even the munchies can’t ease their concerns. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist!)

Many current drivers and potential hires fail cannabis and THC tests.

Because of this, they’re facing a real shortage, which is now verging on a crisis.

So much so, that the job descriptions that are going out have specific detail that claims there is ‘no marijuana testing’ or ‘THC testing’. 

Many states in the US have decriminalized cannabis.

Some lobbyists are seizing this opportunity to push the agenda further.

They argue that if Amazon can ignore marijuana screening, then so can everyone else.

Van drivers in the UK don’t need to worry about ‘high’ delivery drivers right now.

However, it’s something to consider if cannabis is ever legalised in the UK.

We’re pretty certain we Brits would have more common sense than to get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of anything.

If you need to claim against someone who isn’t law-abiding, you’ll need reliable van insurance. I

t’s essential for getting you out of a sticky situation.

It’s a good thing we’ve got you covered with the best and cheapest van insurance quotes around, eh?

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