Operators should not be distracted by the prospect of a busy Christmas and instead must prepare for a worst-case scenario of a Brexit and Covid-19 “double whammy”, according to Dawsongroup.

The truck and trailer contract hire and rental business said haulage firms must not be panicked into doing nothing and that plans needed putting into action now to avoid becoming a casualty of the UK exiting the European Union and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dawsongroup said the big fear was that costs will rise and fleet budgets will take a battering in January through the imposition of tariffs, a weaker pound, less flexible labour market and delays at border crossings – among other concerns.

It said moving from an ownership to a “usership” model, where fleet vehicles are rented or hired, could provide benefits, especially if maintenance costs increased.

John Fletcher, Dawsongroup MD (pictured), said: “With fleet operators reeling from the effects of two waves of the pandemic and two national lockdowns, a perfect storm is on the horizon – Covid-19 and a worst-case Brexit scenario.

“Doing nothing is neither the best nor the cheapest option.

“In fact, for any business to survive and grow, it’s not an option at all!”

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