John Lewis Partnership increases pay for LGV drivers

The John Lewis Partnership is to increase annual salaries for LGV drivers by up to £5,000 a year as it responds to the national driver shortage.

From Sunday 8 August, LGV drivers employed by John Lewis and Waitrose will receive a pay rise of around £2 an hour in their base pay across all its regional and national distribution sites.

The increase follows a review of LGV driver rates in the partnership as it looks to ensure that both John Lewis and Waitrose can continue to recruit LGV drivers at market competitive rates. Around 900 drivers currently employed will benefit.

The partnership will also offer a welcome payment of £1,000 to new LGV Drivers with C+E licences joining the business before November 2021 and will invest in driver recruitment and training to allow existing partnership staff and new recruits without LGV experience to train as drivers.

Mark Robinson, director of supply chain for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “There’s never been a better time to get behind the wheel for Waitrose and John Lewis. We’re responding quickly to the national driver shortage by ensuring our drivers are paid competitively and by investing in training for the future. “These changes will mean that we can continue to serve our customers well and get them the products they need.”