The government has announced it will work with local authorities
to extend the hours that deliveries can be made to supermarkets
and other food retailers to help the industry respond to the
coronavirus.
The new measures would mean food retailers can increase the
frequency of deliveries to their stores and move stocks more
quickly from warehouses across the country to replenish their
shelves.
The announcement follows last week’s call between the Environment
Secretary and leading supermarkets, during which the industry
said a relaxation of curfews would help retailers respond to the
increased consumer demand for some products, namely hygiene
products and a limited number of long life items.
Current rules mean that deliveries are prohibited overnight so
that vehicles do not disturb residents. The government will
temporarily relax the enforcement of restrictions to give greater
flexibility.
These measures follow a further call between the Environment
Secretary and leading representatives from across the food
industry.
Environment Secretary said:
“We have listened to our leading supermarkets and representatives
from across the industry, and we are taking action to support
their preparations. By allowing night time deliveries to our
supermarkets and food retailers we can free them up to move their
stocks more quickly from their warehouses to their shelves.
“Our retailers have well-established contingency plans in place
and are taking all the necessary steps to ensure consumers have
the food and supplies they need. I will continue to work closely
with them over the coming days and weeks on this.”
Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British
Retail Consortium, said:
“We welcome all efforts by government to provide supermarkets
with greater flexibility in the way they supply their stores.
While there is plenty of stock available, the challenge for
retailers has been to make sure all of it reaches shelves at the
earliest opportunity. It is essential that government continues
to engage on other ways to alleviate the challenges for
retailers.”
The Environment Secretary held a call with representatives from
across the food supply chain at 4pm today to discuss further ways
to help with their preparations, and in particular to look at
support for vulnerable groups who may be in isolation.
The call was productive, with the Secretary of State, retailers
and food industry representatives discussing areas where further
action could be taken to support the steps companies are already
taking on delivery and collection services, and support
vulnerable customers.
The government is also looking closely at measures to ensure
supply chains continue to function as normal. The Transport
Secretary stands ready to implement existing rules that allow for
extensions on drivers’ hours to help respond to emergency
situations, as needed.
These rules would help the industry respond to any shortage of
delivery drivers but would still require 45 minute breaks after
four and a half hours of driving to make sure drivers are
properly rested. The government would work closely with employers
on any use of these rules to make sure the safety of drivers and
other road users is protected.
