CONSUMERS WARNED ABOUT LORRY DRIVER SHORTAGE

The shortage of haulage drivers is leaving the north of Scotland 30% down in volume of goods reaching shops and caterers, say their suppliers.

There is also a 15% shortfall in goods getting to the central belt, according to the Scottish Wholesale Association.

Chief Executive, Colin Smith, told MSPs that consumers should no longer assume that everything will be available in shops all the time.

Holyrood’s economy and fair work committee heard the shortage is not as acute as in England.

But there is a knock-on effect in Scotland when imported product is coming through warehouses in England.

Mr Smith said that was due to staff being redeployed into driving, leaving staffing gaps in warehouses.

He added that major food producers are focusing their supplies on bigger retail chains, which they can do more efficiently, leaving smaller wholesalers and retailers at a disadvantage in securing supplies.

There was a warning to the public sector, including catering for schools and care homes, that costs will continue to rise into the new year, with increases expected to be at least 5%. 

Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium told MSPs that everything for a traditional Christmas meal would be available in shops, but with a lower range of options.

John Lee, head of policy at the Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “There are real concerns about rising interest rates.

“The Centre For Economic Research is estimating that households will be spending £1,700 more on consumer costs next year.

“We’re beginning to see concerns about the impact of that and how it might lesson consumer demand.

“Brexit, pandemic, labour shortages are all major challenges, but this is the economic restructuring of the UK, and there’s no way Scotland can be immune from that.”

All three men appearing before MSPs called for continued business rates reductions for the retail sector, with Mr Smith calling for it to be extended to wholesalers.