LOW RATES ARE NO EXCUSE According to Paul Ellis, it
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simply isn't possible to make a decent living in Britain as an owner-driver any more (see news, page 4; and letters, page 27). As he points out, rates in Britain are very poor and, coupled with the lack of power the authorities seem to have over hauliers working outside the 0-licensing system, you can begin to see why many are tempted to risk operating illegally. But while CM fully understands the frustrations of those like Ellis, perhaps they should ask themselves just why rates in Britain are so poor and, in particular, how much downward pressure on prices is created by pirates with lower overheads than their legal brethren. Cynics might argue that low rates force operators with good intentions into piracy, rather than the pirates forcing poor rates on the rest of the industry. But even if this were true, changing from legal to illegal operation is simply not acceptable. Ellis cites a need to provide for his family, and it would take a hard man not to understand this concern. But how well will he be providing for them in the longer term by adding to the general downward pressure on prices? And what support will he be able to offer them in the short term if his trucks are suddenly impounded? Rates in the UK do make it hard for honest operators to earn a decent living. But illegal operators make it even harder. As CM has said many times before, effective enforcement is the way to improve conditions across the industry—and that includes rates. The sooner enforcement systems such as the Joint Enforcement Database Initiative and impounding are introduced, the better.