The group of MPs said the sector needed to deliver sufficient drivers, workers and facilities, including high-quality services and welfare.
While there is a shortage of lorry drivers across Europe, Brexit has considerably worsened the problem in the UK as many come from other parts of the EU. This was coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic which saw many UK-based foreign lorry drivers return to their home countries, with few of them coming back to the UK since.
There have also been tax changes making it more expensive for drivers from elsewhere in Europe to work or be employed in the UK.
If the sector does not improve within two years, MPs on the Commons Transport Select Committee said the government should implement a 'Supply Chain Levy' to assist in building facilities and training new drivers.
The levy would require the parts of the supply chain where margins are greatest – such as large retailers, oil companies and online service giants – to deliver...