A new report has been published by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) highlighting the UK logistics industry's ongoing reliance on professional drivers from across the EU to supplement driver shortages here in the UK.

Entitled 'Driver Shortage: issues and trends', the report revealed the existing shortfall between the number of registered HGVs in the UK and the number of qualified drivers to be more than 34,000.

As a result, the industry has come to rely on drivers from abroad, with professionals coming in from the EU a mainstay of the sector at present.

This therefore represents a serious challenge to the industry in the coming years, as June's UK referendum result means the nation will be extricating itself from the European bloc in the coming years, and with it the opportunity for the free movement of qualified drivers from the EU.

FTA deputy chief executive James Hookham stated: "We urge the government to ensure its Brexit negotiations afford special status to logistics and allow for this employment to continue so that the industry is not hit by another driver shortage crisis."

He concluded the uncertainty that remains surrounding Brexit is not good news for the logistics sector and the sooner there can be clarification on this important issue, the better.

Ben Robb, brand manager at the Fuelcard People, adds: "Tackling the issue of an ongoing lack of professional drivers in the UK is one of the biggest challenges facing the freight and logistics sector at present.

"It is therefore essential that more is done to encourage new entrants into the profession at a time when access to overseas drivers may become constricted."