haulier says minister is ‘scapegoating’ firms with higher penalty HGV drivers face £10k migrant fine

By Carol Millett

An international haulier is challenging immigration minister Robert Jenrick MP to travel with one of its truck drivers through Calais to see the challenges his drivers and the company face to prevent stowaway migrants.

Kevin Hopper, MD of West Yorkshire-based Brian Yeardley Continental, has thrown down the gauntlet to Jenrick after the minister announced plans to fine lorry drivers and operators who inadvertently bring stowaways into Britain £10,000 per migrant, up from the current fine of £2,000.

Set to come into force this month, Jenrick said the current fine of £2,000, levied under the Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme, is not sufficient to incentivise hauliers and their drivers to

KRL pair step up to build top team

Freight forwarder KRL has promoted two of its long-standing staff to director-level positions to support its development plans.

David Flaherty becomes operations director UK and Ireland and Greig Allan is now commercial director UK and Ireland.

properly secure their vehicles. New security standards for all vehicles will also be introduced.

“I challenge Mr Jenrick to travel with one of my drivers through Calais to see what they have to face and to come to my yard and see the measures we have taken, and the money we have spent, securing our vehicles above and beyond what is required under the Border Force accredited scheme,” Hopper said.

“There is nothing more we can do, yet we are now being scapegoated by the government and treated like common criminals.”

Allan began his logistics career at P&O Nedlloyd in Southampton as a transport planner, before moving to the export desk at P&O in Glasgow and then later joining JH Hillebrand, a company specialising in the drinks and beverage sector. He has also held positions at DHL and Kingscote Rojay.

Flaherty started in the aviation industry at Aer Lingus in the ground operations department at Dublin Airport.

He then moved into freight and worked in the import and export departments for Aer Lingus Cargo, before transitioning to the sales department.

Registrations are now open for this summer’s unmissable Road Transport Expo 2023 (RTX) – the tradeshow with a dedicated “all about the truck” focus.

Taking place at NAEC Stoneleigh from 28-30 June, this free-to-attend event is ideal for anyone involved with the running of an HGV fleet.

It provides the opportunity to meet more than 200 suppliers, including all major truck makers, in one vast venue. You can check out the latest trailers, tyres, tippers, tankers, safety equipment and much more.

Or why not test drive the latest trucks on the market? From Euro-6 diesel models through to battery-electric and biogas, there will be a wide range on offer from all of the leading manufacturers.

Meanwhile, the show’s Knowledge Zone will have informative sessions covering key topics such as vehicle compliance, technology innovation and fleet decarbonisation.