The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called on the government to ramp up its support for apprenticeships in the logistics industry. 

The trade body called for such measures to be incorporated into the government's submission to the Transport Select Committee inquiry into skills and workforce planning in the road haulage sector. 

Concerns have been raised throughout the industry about the lack of skilled drivers in the sector and the committee has been tasked with assessing the government's response to this. 

According to FTA estimates, there is a shortfall of around 60,000 drivers in the UK. 

Head of national and regional policy at the FTA Christopher Snelling said there is an urgent need for government action to redress the balance. 

"Effective logistics are vital to the UK economy and it is vital that these issues are addressed before we reach crisis point," he commented.