Lorry drivers were known as \u2018key workers\u2019 during the Covid 19 pandemic alongside doctors, nurses and carers. Three years on from Covid and these workers are still on the road all day, every day. But appreciation for them is fading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Covid seems a distant memory to some, we stood on our doorsteps, clapping for the NHS and showering our lorry drivers in appreciation. But now everything is back to normal for us, things are the same as before for our Lorry drivers, but the treatment they get may be a lot different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many drivers live miles away from their home, so both now and in 2020, drivers spend a lot of time in their cab, which is a space not even big enough to stand up in, let alone live in when on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
George Jugg, 39, said:\u201dI work far away from my home, which means I\u2019m always out overnight. People can be really rude to you, even when you are asking questions about the job. It’s hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been close to quitting my job so many times, you would be shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last few months, the government has addressed the shortage of HGV drivers, and how they are vital to us for food deliveries, fuels and other warehouse stock. They say that the shortage comes after covid, Brexit and other factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark Butler, 31, said: \u201cIt’s not a job for the weak, that’s for sure. I felt respected in 2020, now I feel as if people take us for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tamsyn Wisher, said: \u201cI don\u2019t feel surprised on how people treat them, people were so grateful for them during covid, they were our heroes really. Now, my husband works day and night and no one gives a shit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shortage means that the government felt it had no choice but to take action, by making the HGV tests more lenient and relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haulage companies say that the average age of their employees is 55, and they want more to be done to attract younger workers and women drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cI\u2019ve been close to quitting my job so many times, you would be shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":49585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"yoast_head":"\n