phobus:
I’m still not tempted to give up my free time for “Umbrella assignment rate is X”, when the umbrella assignment rate is the current PAYE rate. Yellowbelly DH agency take note.(I’m quietly confident zero notice will be taken until they have no choice).
I hold a full Class 1, DCPC and Tacho card as an insurance policy to redundancy. Highly unlikely in my profession, but you never know. I’ve often considered driving on a Sunday for extra holiday money, but the rates dropped to poop. In 1998/9 ish on weekend agency I was paid £10ph, minimum 10 hours guaranteed plus £10 expenses, just off the A14. I often only did 8hrs max. £110 / 8 = £13.75 equivalent. That was 22 years ago.
There is no elusive reason for the driver shortage.
1.) Government:- Improve / legislate LGV facilities.
2.) Employers :- A sea change in attitude and working patterns
3.) Show me the money
The DH franchises do seem to have some of the lowest rates around. Effectively as low as they can go and still get drivers. What they charge the clients nobody knows, but many would have their suspicions.