More professional drivers are on the road in the run-up to Christmas than ever before.
Berry Recruitment’s staff have said that all classes of driver are in demand as people purchase more goods online.
Lee Gamble, managing director, said that this year the rush had begun earlier and the numbers were higher than in previous years.
And due to an uplift in demand through the year, wages have risen especially for the most skilled.
This was reflected in figures just released by the Office for National Statistics.
They showed that compared with the previous year, wages were up by 3.3 per cent for the three months to October, the biggest rise since November 2008.
Average weekly wages are now £495 - the highest since 2011.
Lee said: “We have really seen a leap in the number of drivers required. It correlates directly with the decline of retail outlets in our high streets.
“More people buy online and expect goods to be there the next day. It is a logistical challenge that depends on all types of driver.
“This year there has been a real surge and as the demand for drivers has increased, so the wages have risen.
“People’s changing habits in buying goods and Christmas presents are largely responsible and as the festive season gets closer the demand is getting higher.”
Berry Recruitment is part of the family-owned Berry Recruitment Group (BRG) which works from 35 locations across England and Wales.
