Sir Keir Starmer today called for 100,000 foreign lorry drivers to be granted visas to come to the UK as he blasted the Government's handling of the fuel crisis.
Ministers have announced a temporary visa scheme that will see 5,000 HGV drivers allowed to take up employment in the UK until Christmas Eve.
But Sir Keir said 'we are going to have to bring in more drivers and more visas' amid reports that the shortfall of drivers is north of 90,000.
The Labour leader said that 'for a long time we have known there is a problem' and it was 'predicted' the situation would get worse after Brexit.
He said the Government was guilty of a 'complete lack of planning' as he suggested he would also grant permission for EU workers to come to the UK to take jobs in other industries struggling with recruitment like hospitality and food processing.
Sir Keir Starmer today called for 100,000 foreign lorry drivers to be granted visas to come to the UK as he blasted the Government's handling of the fuel crisis
Ministers have announced a temporary visa scheme that will see 5,000 HGV drivers allowed to take up employment in the UK until Christmas Eve
The shortage of HGV drivers has hit the nation's fuel network while retailers have warned the Government that it has just 10 days to save Christmas from 'significant disruption' amid pressure on the food supply chain.
Ministers want firms to hire and train British workers to fill HGV vacancies, with the 5,000 visas viewed as a short term fix.
But Sir Keir said the Government must go much further to avoid prolonged chaos this winter.
He said: 'On the HGV situation, we are going to have to bring in more drivers and more visas.
'I am astonished that the Government, knowing the situation is not acting today.
'The Prime
