Laughing stock
Labour demands action to make sure vital supplies make it on to shop shelves
BORIS Johnson needs to appoint a Cabinet minister to end the disruption caused by a shortage of workers and supplies of goods, Labour has demanded.
Ed Miliband, the Shadow Business Secretary, said the Tories were failing to get a grip of the supply chain crisis caused by a lack of skilled workers and a shortage of materials.
The former Labour leader said the UK’s economic recovery was at risk as businesses struggle to find skilled staff and obtain goods and raw materials.
Miliband called for a minister with sole responsibility for tackling the supply chain crisis, a taskforce to help recruitment and 100,000 new apprentices this financial year to help boost employment key sectors.
He said: “What we are seeing across our economy should be a wake-up call to Government that insecurity and low pay cannot build the high performing economy we need.
“It’s time for the Prime Minister to take this situation seriously and appoint a minister to work across Government and come up with a clear plan with businesses and unions to improve wages and conditions in key sectors.”
The shortage of workers is continuing to grow across all sectors of the economy.
A shortage of care home workers in Scotland is adding further pressure on the NHS.
Supermarkets, delivery companies and even opticians are reporting a shortage of staff and materials. Retail businesses have seen extra costs due to additional transportation costs because of a shortage of drivers.
Miliband said the problems won’t fix themselves, adding: “The long-term problems in the HGV sector will not be solved by making drivers work longer hours but by training workers and improving their terms and conditions.”