Backbench MP criticised for comparing HGV drivers and parcel delivery drivers

Backbench Conservative MP John Redwood has been criticised for comparing HGV drivers and parcel delivery drivers.

In tweet posted on Monday he wrote: “On line companies have attracted lots of extra drivers to do parcel van deliveries. HGV employers need to learn from them how they did it.”

Practical HGV training takes five days, and the whole process, including the acquisition of a license, requires eight to ten weeks.

There remains a backlog of 40,000 people awaiting HGV tests in the UK.

Most vans are able to be driven on a regular car license.

Mr Redwood’s comments drew a mixture of satirical and heated responses from other users.