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| Recession 'hitting lorry numbers' | Recession 'hitting lorry numbers' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Figures due out later are expected to show a dramatic fall in the number of heavy goods vehicles on the UK's roads. | Figures due out later are expected to show a dramatic fall in the number of heavy goods vehicles on the UK's roads. |
| The Department for Transport says the total fell by 7% in the last quarter of 2008, and figures for the first quarter of 2009 are likely to be even worse. | The Department for Transport says the total fell by 7% in the last quarter of 2008, and figures for the first quarter of 2009 are likely to be even worse. |
| The number of lorry drivers looking for work is reported to have increased five-fold in the last twelve months. | The number of lorry drivers looking for work is reported to have increased five-fold in the last twelve months. |
| The Road Haulage Association says the sector is losing jobs more quickly than almost any other. | The Road Haulage Association says the sector is losing jobs more quickly than almost any other. |
| The RHA estimates that there are one million people in the UK who rely on the haulage and logistics industry for work. | The RHA estimates that there are one million people in the UK who rely on the haulage and logistics industry for work. |
| Fall in congestion | Fall in congestion |
| The haulage sector is suffering in large part because of a fall-off in consumer demand for certain products, such as furniture and cars. | The haulage sector is suffering in large part because of a fall-off in consumer demand for certain products, such as furniture and cars. |
| Fewer items being bought means fewer are also being manufactured and imported, reducing the need for those workers who move goods around the country. | Fewer items being bought means fewer are also being manufactured and imported, reducing the need for those workers who move goods around the country. |
| Data released by the Office for National Statistics show that a year ago there were just over 3,000 lorry divers receiving Jobseekers Allowance in the UK. | Data released by the Office for National Statistics show that a year ago there were just over 3,000 lorry divers receiving Jobseekers Allowance in the UK. |
| Today that number is now more than 15,000 - an increase even more dramatic than that for bricklayers and masons. | Today that number is now more than 15,000 - an increase even more dramatic than that for bricklayers and masons. |
| These figures are supported by a sharp fall off in road congestion and traffic at the UK's major ports. | These figures are supported by a sharp fall off in road congestion and traffic at the UK's major ports. |
| The company Trafficmaster has recorded 18 consecutive months of decreases in average congestion on motorways and major roads across England. This follows an average increase in every month between 2003 and mid 2007. | The company Trafficmaster has recorded 18 consecutive months of decreases in average congestion on motorways and major roads across England. This follows an average increase in every month between 2003 and mid 2007. |
| On the A14, for example, which connects the port of Felixstowe with the M1 and M6 motorways, congestion in March 2009 was 47% lower than in March 2008. | On the A14, for example, which connects the port of Felixstowe with the M1 and M6 motorways, congestion in March 2009 was 47% lower than in March 2008. |
| Experts are putting this change down to fewer numbers of HGV lorries. | Experts are putting this change down to fewer numbers of HGV lorries. |
| The RHA says the haulage business is a key indicator of economic buoyancy and its survival is vital to Britain's recovery from the recession. | The RHA says the haulage business is a key indicator of economic buoyancy and its survival is vital to Britain's recovery from the recession. |
| It also points out that hauliers have little or no opportunity to diversify in tough times, so they tend to feel the pinch even more keenly. | It also points out that hauliers have little or no opportunity to diversify in tough times, so they tend to feel the pinch even more keenly. |
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