Thirst Noel... Warning over shortages of festive booze

BRITAIN faces a dry Christmas unless urgent action is taken to tackle the shortage of HGV drivers, the drinks industry has warned.

Festive tipples like bucks fizz and gin may be in short supply as firms are finding it difficult to get supplies to shops.

An alliance of 49 alcohol brands, including Moët Hennessy, Pernod Ricard and Campari, have told the government there will big gaps on store shelves if the driver recruitment crisis continues.

In a letter to transport secretary Grant Shapps, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) said importing some drinks was taking more than a fortnight – five times longer than it was a year ago.

And costs have soared seven per cent as companies pay out more to retain the services of delivery drivers, it added.

‘Unless urgent action is taken, we will fall deeper into delivery chaos,’ said WSTA chief executive Miles Beale.

‘We are already seeing major delays on wine and spirit delivery times, which is pushing up costs and limiting the range of products available to UK consumers.

‘Government needs to be doing all it can to ensure British business is not operating with one hand tied behind its back over the festive season and beyond.’

The warning comes weeks after the Road Haulage Association said food supplies could be hit due to an estimated shortage of 100,000 lorry drivers. Brexit has exacerbated the issue, say critics, after government data showed the number of EU nationals working as HGV drivers fell by 16,000 in the year to March.

And a No.10 scheme offering 5,000 foreign drivers temporary visas to plug the shortage failed when only a few dozen took up the offer.

It was also reported there were almost 30,000 outstanding applications for HGV and bus licences waiting to be processed last month.

The booze shortage could also have an impact on the economy. Brits spend 38 per cent more than usual on drink at Christmas, reports the Bank of England.

In 2019, the last Christmas before the pandemic, shoppers spent £38 each on alcohol – more than they forked out for a turkey and trimmings, a Nationwide Building Society poll claimed.