UK worker shortages: transportation and storage
UK worker shortages: transportation and storage stood at 2% in Aug 2026, according to ONS — Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). It is one of the indicators in the Workforce pressures (BICS) table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Oct 2021 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Workforce pressures (BICS) table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experiencing a shortage of workers | |||||||||||
| Transportation & storage | 2 | 5.8 | 5 | 3.4 | 8.5 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 17.8 | |
| Accommodation & food service | 11.8 | 17.5 | 15.2 | 16 | 14 | 12.4 | 11.1 | 15.8 | 13.7 | 13.4 |
Understanding UK worker shortages: transportation and storage
Haulage fleets, freight forwarders, public transport operators, and warehouse storage facilities throughout the United Kingdom track the proportion of businesses failing to secure sufficient drivers, warehouse operatives, and logistics coordinators. This specific operational domain captures the movement and storage of physical goods, separating supply chain bottlenecks from retail sales counters or manufacturing plants. Respondents assess their ability to run transport networks and distribution centres at planned capacity.
Interpreting these logistics percentages requires awareness of fuel price volatility, regulatory licensing changes, and seasonal freight peaks that abruptly alter workforce demand. Sequential comparisons between survey waves highlight emerging transport blockages far more effectively than lagging annual indicators. Analysts must avoid treating transport vacancies as interchangeable with manufacturing shortages, because freight movement relies heavily on specialised driving credentials and international trade flows.
Frequently asked questions
- Are delivery drivers included in transportation and storage?
- Yes, heavy goods vehicle drivers, van drivers, and warehouse distribution staff are central to this category.
- How frequently are transport businesses surveyed?
- Data is gathered fortnightly to capture rapid fluctuations in supply chain staffing pressures.
- Does this measure capture international shipping bottlenecks?
- It reflects the domestic workforce experiences of firms handling freight and storage within the United Kingdom.