Hauliers will stop bringing goods into the UK if the government ploughs on with proposals to levy fines of £2,000 per stowaway found in vehicles, regardless of the security measures taken, Logistics UK has warned. A consultation into the controversial plans ended yesterday (6 May) with ministers wanting to overhaul the current clandestine civil penalty… [Read more]

Peterborough, UK: The UK’s ongoing driver shortage, and the new changes to IR35 (off-payroll working) tax rules, have created a perfect storm for the logistics industry, according to the Road Haulage Association. The RHA’s comments came as the Grocer reported that driver shortages are now having an effect on deliveries to convenience stores. “The driver shortage was… [Read more]

“Last week, I put 73 hours in. You’re not getting home through the week,” Craig Hoodless says of his job behind the wheel of a truck. “After a full day’s driving you’re mentally knackered but physically fine. Being a long-distance driver has to be a job you love. You can’t do this job if you… [Read more]

The government is set to introduce COVID testing for lorry drivers entering the UK from mainland Europe, Sky News understands. The Department for Transport has not confirmed the move, but sources have told Sky News that hauliers crossing from France will be included, with the potential for other European countries to be impacted as well…. [Read more]

Following an industry meeting between representatives of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Logistics UK and commercial driving schools last week, the Agency has announced that driver training will be able to recommence as soon as the second part of the relaxation of lockdown measures occurs, which is widely expected to be Monday 12… [Read more]

Following the adjustment to the IR35 legislation on the 3rd March 2021, it seems clear that HMRC are intent on implementing the changes as planned this time around. These final ‘tweaks’ to IR35 mean that any remaining grey areas are closed and any room for manoeuvre is removed. In essence these final adjustments to the… [Read more]

HMRC have issued new advice aimed at helping operators stay on the right side of new tax laws. The document, which can be found here, lays out how HMRC will monitor organisations engaging drivers and other contractors who work through their own limited company when new tax rules kick in. It states that: The off-payroll working… [Read more]

Is HGV activity back to Pre-Covid levels? The transport and logistics sector has seen a turbulent 6 months with certain sectors powering forward through lock down and others going into a short-term state of hibernation. In mid-April, HGV traffic levels dropped by 45%. Now, 6 months on, official government statistics show that consumer purchases of… [Read more]

Chief treasury secretary, Steve Barclay, announced last night that the IR35 tax reforms would be pushed back by one year, less than a week after the controversial measures were confirmed in the Budget. Speaking at the despatch box in yesterday’s Budget debate in the Commons, Barclay confirmed that the changes, which will clamp down on… [Read more]

HM Revenue & Customs recently released this IR35 factsheet to outline the changes to off-payroll working rules. The information below was taken from this document and is relevant to HGV drivers and clients in our sector. Changes to off-payroll working rules (IR35) – There are some important changes to employment taxes coming into effect from… [Read more]