Consumers may be faced with empty shelves this Christmas if action is not taken to address the driver shortage facing the haulage industry. 

This is according to the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which issued this warning as the crisis appears to be worsening. 

Intensive lobbying of MPs is being carried out by RHA members as the industry body marks its first National Lorry Week, which started on October 26th and will run until tomorrow (October 31st). 

Chief executive of the RHA Richard Burnett said the industry is currently short of between 45,000 and 50,000 drivers - and the situation is not improving. 

He explained that thousands of older drivers are retiring and leaving the industry, while many younger drivers cannot afford the £3,000 truck licence. 

"The government could help but won't," Mr Burnett commented, adding: "They should support a truck driving apprenticeship but are refusing to do so - even though they are forcing the larger trucking firms to pay the new apprenticeship levy."