Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s claims that the situation was improving, British soldiers will begin driving tanks to replenish empty pumps, as vehicles queued again for petrol following days of shortages.
After oil companies warned they didn’t have enough tanker drivers to deliver fuel and diesel from refineries to filling stations, Britain has been gripped by a panic purchasing frenzy for almost a week, leaving pumps barren across major cities.
150 soldiers have been mobilized, according to Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng, and will be driving tankers in a few days.
“The last few days have been challenging, with long lines. However, I believe the situation is stabilizing, and we are able to get gasoline into the forecourts. I believe we’ll be able to work our way out of this “Kwarteng explained.
Johnson has attempted to assuage fears by stating that supplies are back to normal and asking consumers not to panic buy.
A lack of about 100,000 drivers has wreaked havoc on supply systems, raising the specter of empty stores and price hikes throughout the holiday season.
When asked if he could promise that no problems would arise in the run-up to the hectic retail season, Kwarteng said: “Nothing is guaranteed by me. All I’m saying is that I believe the situation is beginning to stabilize.”
Long lines of automobiles had formed in and around London, as well as on the busy M25 orbital road that circles the capital, by the early morning rush hour. Some sites had signs up stating that there was no fuel available.
The bottleneck has prompted calls for doctors, nurses, and other critical employees to be given priority access to fuel, a move Johnson has vehemently opposed.
The worst of the shortages, according to industry groups, appeared to be in London, the southeast, and other English cities. As drivers jostled, fights broke out.
The Petrol Merchants Association (PRA), which represents independent retailers who own approximately two-thirds of the UK’s 8,380 filling stations, said on Tuesday that 37 percent of its members’ stations were out of gas.
The shortages have added to the disarray in the world’s fifth-largest economy, leaving empty shelves at supermarkets. Energy companies have also gone bankrupt as a result of a jump in European wholesale natural gas prices.
The United Kingdom exited the EU single market at the start of this year, making it impossible for haulers to hire drivers in the bloc. To address the shortage, the administration has announced that 5,000 foreign drivers will be granted temporary visas, a measure it had previously ruled out.
“What we want to do is make sure that we have everything we need to get through to Christmas and beyond, not just in terms of providing the gas stations, but in terms of all aspects of our supply chain,” Johnson said.
There are no easy fixes, according to haulers, gas stations, and retailers, because the shortage of drivers is so severe, and delivering fuel necessitates training and certification. European drivers may be hesitant to take advantage of the visa deal, which is only valid until December 24.
