Temporary UK visas will be given to 10,500 foreign workers to keep Christmas on track

Retailers had warned the UK Government that it had just 10 days to save Christmas from “significant disruption” due to a shortfall of about 90,000 drivers in the freight sector.

Motorists queue to fill their cars at a Sainsbury’s fuel station in Ashford, Kent, England. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA

More than 10,000 workers will be temporarily permitted to work as lorry drivers and in the food sector as British government ministers look to rescue Christmas from supply shortages.

A temporary visa scheme will see opportunities created for 5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers to take up employment in the UK until Christmas Eve, in a bid to keep supermarket shelves stocked with turkeys and toys and counter delivery difficulties at petrol stations.