IT IS typical of the ruling-class mentality that usually finds an early expression in the policies of this Tory government that the first reaction to complaints by employers that they are experiencing a driver shortage is to relax the limits on working time.

Driving delivery vehicles, of whatever size, is a job that demands a high level of skill combined with a sharp attention to all manner of factors including weather, road conditions and the behaviour of other road users.

It is also vital to the delivery of almost everything we eat, use or need. We can think of this as essential to the smooth running of the economy, and so it is.