I've been wondering whether to keep this section, now that Brexit is (safely?) behind us. I think I'll keep it up for a little while, if only for the entertainment value: all Brexit related news these days seem to come straight out of The Onion/Der Postillon/Le Gorafi.

Government asks German residents to drive lorries even if they never have before - Independent

A letter was sent by the Department for Transport, signed by transport minister Baroness Vere, asking Germans who live in Britain to "consider returning" to the HGV driving sector.

The letter states: "Your valuable skills and experience have never been more needed than they are now.

"There are fantastic HGV driving opportunities in the logistics industry and conditions of employment have been improving across the sector. As well as attractive pay rates, we are seeing more options for flexible working, fixed hours, fixed days, full time and part time."

German driving licences issued before 1999 include an entitlement to drive a small to medium-sized truck of up to 7.5 tonnes. It is understood that almost all Germans residing in the UK who hold such a licence have been sent the letter, almost none of whom have ever driven an HGV before.