News / UK's 'modest' budget pledges fall short of boosting haulage industry

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The UK freight industry has given a mixed reaction to yesterday’s Budget, in which the government finally began to specifically address the driver shortage crisis afflicting the haulage sector, while also maintaining the tax rates on diesel.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said the government would review the speed with which HGV licenses and driver medical assessments are issued and “will consider options to accelerate both in order to help address the shortage of qualified HGV drivers”.

Mr Osborne added: “The ...