Appearing on The Clive Holland Show yesterday, Andy Prendergast, secretary of the GMB Union, argued that electricians, plumbers and heating engineers should be classified as essential workers, and given the same access to petrol as NHS care staff and emergency service workers.

“We have gone past the point where gas or electricity is a luxury,” said Prendergast.

“For a lot of vulnerable people the ability of getting the electric supply back on, the ability of getting the heating on is essential,” he added.

The GMB Union is working with the government and opposition parties to look at how petrol supplies can be prioritised for those whose livelihoods depend on driving. It is also working with employers to ensure they are aware of the challenges facing their members in the current environment.

“We’re working with employers to work things out. We are making sure it is recognised that it is not their fault, as to why we are in this position,” said Andy Prendergast.

Nathan Rimmington of City Driver Training, a HGV-driver training school, and TikTok superstar, also appeared on the show to argue that HVG drivers need priority at the petrol pump. His driver training school is struggling to find fuel.

He also warned that there is no easy solution to the shortage of HVG drivers.

Plans to create 5,000 work visas for lorry drivers ignores the fact that much of the continent is struggling to find qualified truckers, said Rimmington.

Long delays in the training process are further complicating the situation. The average time it takes to train a driver has risen from six weeks to up to six months due to delays at the government level.

“The whole process before COVID, used to take us between three and six weeks and ‘boom’ you were a lorry driver,” said Rimmington.

“Now it is taking between two and six months. Even sometimes longer. So why are they [the government] not tackling this issue?,” he added.