HGV Drivers Being Offered Thousands Of Pounds In Bonuses

Lorry drivers and bricklayers are raking in bonus paychecks as a skills shortage means they are in huge demand. According to the Road Haulage Association, there is an estimated shortfall of around 100,000 HGV drivers in the UK.

Sky News reports that Tesco has been offering HGV drivers a £1,000 golden handshake join gin bonus to help plugs the shortage, as the ‘pingdemic’ and Brexit has led to worker shortages in many industries, including haulage, construction, and hospitality.

Any HGV driver that signs up to the company before September 30 will get the £1,000 bonus. HGV drivers earn an average of £32,500 a year, according to employment website totaljobs.co.uk.

The news was confirmed on Tesco’s careers website, which stated: “As a Tesco HGV driver you are the face of your distribution centre and an ambassador on our roads."

The Guardian reports that Asda and Sainsbury’s are also considering paying their drivers more, but a spokesperson for union Unite said all HGV drivers across all sectors were getting pay rises - not just supermarkets.

"It's something we have seen with HGV drivers, and it is ongoing - that's across the board," the spokesman said.

The construction industry has also experienced skilled worker shortages around the UK, and in Wigan, bricklayers are now asking for £600 per £1,000, which is an increase of 15 per cent from £525 a year ago.

Andrew Monk, the founder of Wigan-based firm Profiles Brickwork told the Manchester Evening News that recruiting bricklayers is becoming more and more expensive.

“If you're going to offer the same rates as six months ago, you're not going to get anyone,” he said.

“If you up your money significantly you'll usually get the lads. Brickies will move for as little as 50p an hour extra - they always think the grass is greener!”

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