Army on standby in UK after panic-buying of fuel

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Petrol pumps have gone dry in Britain on panic-buying amid a deep supply-chain crisis, prompting the British government to put the army on standby. Petrol pumps have not been able to replenish the stocks as Britain has been facing an acute shortage of truck drivers. The British government had earlier warned of a fuel supply crisis, triggering panic buying by consumers, according to media reports emerging from England. The supply crunch started last weekend.

Brexit and Covid-19 and no driver-training and testing for almost a year now have been cited as reasons for the driver shortage. Britain needs 100,000 more drivers if it is to meet demand, according to the UK’s Road Haulage Association.

The government, as an emergency measure, is planning to issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers, suspend competition laws and entice former drivers back into the industry, media reports said.

Consumers resorted to panic-buying after BP said it was closing some outlets due to the driver shortage. A few Shell stations also reported pumps running dry. ExxonMobil’s Esso had also been impacted.

“We have ample fuel stocks in this country and the public should be reassured there are no shortages,” the Downing Street spokeswoman said. “But like countries around the world, we are suffering from a temporary Covid-related shortage of drivers needed to move supplies around the country.”

According to the Petrol Retailers Association, independent fuel retailers account for 65% of all the 8,380 UK forecourts, says a report.

The fuel industry said the issue is transporting petrol and diesel, “As many cars are now holding more fuel than usual, we expect that demand will return to its normal levels in the coming days, easing pressures on fuel station forecourts. We would encourage everyone to buy fuel as they usually would,” media reported quoting a joint statement from fuel firms.

The government is extending heavy good vehicle licences which allow drivers to transport fuel, for those whose permits were due to expire in the next three months to allow them to keep working without having to take refresher courses.