Three days after 'Freedom Day' on 19 July 2021, images of empty supermarket shelves surfaced on social media, prompting panic-buying and government pleas for calm. Initially attributed to a 'pingdemic' from NHS Test and Trace notifications causing staff shortages, the crisis soon revealed deeper issues.
An underlying shortage of HGV drivers, worsened by Brexit and the pandemic, was a key factor. The UK lost an estimated 25,000 European lorry drivers after the EU referendum due to tighter visa rules and loss of free movement. Additionally, lockdowns prevented 40,000 driver tests, contributing to a shortfall of up to 100,000 drivers.
Iceland's managing director Richard Walker told BBC Radio 4 that driver shortages were 'impacting the food supply chain on a daily basis', with 30-40 deliveries cancelled daily. He blamed Brexit as a 'self-inflicted wound'. Transport secretary Grant Shapps and the Office for Budget Responsibility also noted a 15% fall in UK trade with Europe as a factor.
The crisis highlighted vulnerabilities in the global supply chain, with Covid-related absences causing bottlenecks worldwide. While the NHS app was adjusted in August, problems persisted, leading to broader scrutiny of Brexit's impact on labour and trade.
