ECON BP Closes UK Gas Stations due to "driver's shortage" also talk of rationing coming soon.

[Melodi]

On top of predicted severe meat shortages, the UK is now undergoing a petrol (gasoline) crisis which is being blamed on the missing 100,000 truckers the UK no longer has. The business community begged the UK Government a few weeks ago to allow temporary work visas for the thousands of Eastern Europeans (mostly) who used to drive trucks inside and on routes going to and from the UK and the government told them to "find UK citizens to hire."

Sadly few people want to pay for the expensive training process, then work extremely long hours for not much pay, and even if they did it takes a month to properly train a driver.

Also, my personal opinion is that this is part of a much larger problem than just trucking and that there may also be a real energy crisis going on in the UK and starting to spread to Ireland. The growing shortages in shops of almost all goods, especially meat are partly from the trucking strike, partly from shocking rises in energy costs and who knows what else? Something to watch guys, the UK is smaller than the US, so things can hit harder and faster there, but I think this is a canary in the coal mine moment.

Another article on this mentioned that gasoline rationing may be coming soon in the UK.

Does anyone else remember 1973?.....

BP closes UK petrol forecourts due to drivers' shortage

Oil company BP said it had temporarily closed some of its petrol forecourts in Britain after its ability to transport fuel from refineries was hit by an industry wide shortage of truck drivers.

www.rte.ie

BP closes UK petrol forecourts due to drivers shortage
Updated / Thursday, 23 Sep 2021 16:38

BP has about 1,200 branded stations across the United Kingdom

Oil company BP said it had temporarily closed some of its petrol forecourts in Britain after its ability to transport fuel from refineries was hit by an industry wide shortage of truck drivers.

"We are experiencing some fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades," BP said in a statement.

BP, which has about 1,200 branded stations across the United Kingdom, said it was taking action to address the issue.

"We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise any future disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers," it said.

BP said it was prioritising deliveries to motorway service areas, major trunk roads and sites with the largest demand and seeking to minimise the duration of "stock outs".

ExxonMobil's Esso said a small number of its 200 Tesco Alliance retail sites in the UK had also been impacted.

"We are working closely with all parties in our distribution network to optimise supplies and minimise any inconvenience to customers," it said in a statement.

The drivers' shortage has also caused widespread disruption to Britain's food sector.

The trucking industry has said it needs another 90,000 drivers to meet demand after Brexit made it harder for European workers to drive in Britain and the COVID-19 pandemic prevented new workers from qualifying.

 

[Millwright]

It all started when they dropped the imperial system.

 

[Melodi]

It all started when they dropped the imperial system.

Ah, but they are bringing that back, at least partly, so things should be getting better instead of worse?

Already the BBC and other outlets are starting to list things in miles per hour and pounds or ounces make it easier for me! But I'm not sure it affects the current energy crises in the UK, Ireland, and some other parts of Europe.

That is mostly caused by a number of factors from BREXIT to the Russians cutting the amount of Gas sent to Europe along with "the Wind Not Blowing" so the fancy new "green" power generation stopped for a couple of weeks earlier this month.

 

[CaryC]

I do remember '73 was living at Hood at the time.

I also remember putting this same thread up this morning. LOL

Short term memory isn't as bad as I thought.

ENER - BP Prepares To Ration Gas At UK Service Stations Amid Supply Woes | Timebomb 2000

 

[Melodi]

I do remember '73 was living at Hood at the time.

I also remember putting this same thread up this morning. LOL

Short-term memory isn't as bad as I thought.

If you can find the thread, I'm happy for a mod to merge this one with it - it is a big and growing story over here, I just must have missed it.

I decided to start posting because the growing energy crisis in the UK/Ireland needs its thread (for now) I suspect one will be needed for the US fairly soon. But the situations will be somewhat different because the countries have different systems.

For example, part of the meat shortage in Britain is caused by a lack of CO2 gas which is a gas fertilizer by-product. In the US it comes from ethanol production which is unlikely to stop any time soon.

In the UK it was produced by only two plants (owned by an American) and the UK had stupidly allowed their ENTIRE Meat Producing/slaughter and packaging industries to become totally dependent on them. The UK had to pay the guy millions of dollars to restart the non-productive plants because in the short term there was simply no other way to get this product and keep food on the shelves.

Over a few months they can get or create other suppliers, but in this case not even calling out the military would have helped, unless it was to confiscate the plants and have the military learn to run them (and I'm not suggesting that).

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Delete....

 

[CaryC]

If you can find the thread, I'm happy for a mod to merge this one with it - it is a big and growing story over here, I just must have missed it.

I decided to start posting because the growing energy crisis in the UK/Ireland needs its thread (for now) I suspect one will be needed for the US fairly soon. But the situations will be somewhat different because the countries have different systems.

For example, part of the meat shortage in Britain is caused by a lack of CO2 gas which is a gas fertilizer by-product. In the US it comes from ethanol production which is unlikely to stop any time soon.

In the UK it was produced by only two plants (owned by an American) and the UK had stupidly allowed their ENTIRE Meat Producing/slaughter and packaging industries to become totally dependent on them. The UK had to pay the guy millions of dollars to restart the non-productive plants because in the short term there was simply no other way to get this product and keep food on the shelves.

Over a few months they can get or create other suppliers, but in this case not even calling out the military would have helped, unless it was to confiscate the plants and have the military learn to run them (and I'm not suggesting that).

I edited my reply and inserted it. It didn't get any hits. Either way for me it's not a big deal.

While England and the Commonwealth may have some problems and even big problems, it doesn't look like it's a bother here.

 

[Melodi]

Thanks Cary, if we can find it, you put it up first, I'm happy to merge threads anyway this is part of a long UK Mail article best seen at the link - Melodi

Is new Winter of Discontent ALREADY here?

BP said that it will restrict deliveries of fuel due to the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers, which has also impacted supermarkets and raised fears of Christmas being decimated.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Downing Street is bracing for a new 'Winter of Discontent' after BP and Tesco RATION fuel and shut stations, supermarkets warn of food shortages and energy firms go bust as gas prices soar

• Oil giant BP has said it cannot maintain petrol and diesel deliveries due to the lack of lorry drivers in the UK
• The news is the latest sign of industries in the UK struggling to cope with the shortage of HGV drivers
• Avro Energy and Green yesterday became latest energy firms to go out of business amid soaring gas prices
• Wholesale prices for gas have increased 250% since the start of the year, and by another 70% since August
• Meanwhile, food supply chains have been placed under intense stress by the HGV situation and a CO2 crisis
• Downing Street said this afternoon 'we acknowledge there are issues facing many industries across the UK'

By DANYAL HUSSAIN and RORY TINGLE and LAURENCE DOLLIMORE FOR MAILONLINE and JACK MAIDMENT, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 14:16, 23 September 2021 | UPDATED: 17:16, 23 September 2021




Downing Street today signalled it is bracing for a 'winter of discontent' after BP and Tesco were forced to ration fuel and shut stations, supermarkets warned of food shortages and more energy firms went bust amid rising gas prices.

Number 10 said this afternoon that 'we acknowledge there are issues facing many industries across the UK' as the nation heads into the colder months.

The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman insisted there is no shortage of fuel and urged people to continue to fill up their vehicles 'as normal'.

The spokesman stressed the UK has 'very resilient and robust' supply chains but the admission of challenges ahead is likely to spark fears of potential disruption.

BP has said it will restrict deliveries of fuel because of a lack of HGV drivers, which has also impacted supermarkets and raised fears of food and even toy shortages over the Christmas period.

The oil giant is understood to have informed the Government that its ability to transport petrol and diesel from its refineries is being heavily impacted by the supply chain crisis.

BP's Head of UK Retail, Hanna Hofer, told the Cabinet Office last Thursday that it was important that the Government understood the 'urgency of the situation' which she branded 'bad, very bad'.

Ms Hofer warned that the company had 'two thirds of normal forecourt stock levels required for smooth operations' and that levels were 'declining rapidly'. The restricting of deliveries is expected to begin 'very soon'.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of Tesco petrol stations closing or running out of fuel in Dorset, the Isle of Wight and Devon. ExxonMobil, which operates Esso, added that some of its 200 Tesco Alliance sites were affected.

The news is the latest sign of the UK struggling to cope because of an ongoing shortage of HGV drivers which comes alongside a worsening energy crisis.

Avro Energy and Green yesterday became the latest energy firms to go out of business as soaring gas prices continued to batter the sector.

Wholesale prices for gas have increased 250 per cent since the start of the year, and 70 per cent since August, meaning firms are buying energy for more than they sell it to customers.

Nine firms have now ceased trading this year, with the head of regulator Ofgem warning more are likely to follow suit, leaving 'well above' hundreds of thousands of customers in limbo.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng today suggested people should be hoping for a warm autumn to ease gas prices as he said the weather is the 'single most important determinant' of costs.

Food supply chains have been placed under intense stress in recent weeks because of the shortage of around 100,000 HGV drivers - with empty shelves across many UK supermarkets as a result.

Supply chains were further disrupted after two plants that produce 60 per cent of the UK's CO2 were shut down amid the rising gas prices. CO2 is used for everything from the humane slaughter of chickens and pigs, to putting the fizz in soft drinks and creating packaging that keeps foods fresh.

Now, there are fears that shortages could bite households in the run-up to Christmas.

The classic Christmas dinner could be decimated, with turkey, pigs in blankets, potatoes and brussel sprouts all at risk.
Meanwhile, toys, vinyl and books could also experience shortages - with experts even warning of Christmas tree issues.
Despite the Government agreeing a deal to restart production at the CO2 plants, industry bodies have warned that consumers may still see a hike in food prices, particularly if the cost of carbon dioxide rises.

The Government's deal with CF Industries is only in place for three weeks - leading to fears that the issues could start up again in the run-up to the festive period.

+11

An out of use sign on a petrol pump at a BP garage on Speke Hall Road, Liverpool. The HGV driver shortage has hit oil giant BP with deliveries of petrol and diesel to forecourts across the UK set to be reduced

BP has announced that its ability to transport fuel from refineries to its branded petrol station forecourts is being impacted by the ongoing shortage of HGV drivers and as a result, it will be rationing deliveries to ensure continuity of supply

+11

A graphic illustrating how the three issues are currently affecting the UK and the problems it is causing. The People's Energy Company (bottom, middle) is one of the energy suppliers that have already gone bust

+11

+11

Asked if Boris Johnson is concerned at petrol station closures, the PM's spokesman said: ‘I think the first thing to say is that there is no shortage of fuel in the UK and people should continue to buy fuel as normal.

‘We obviously recognise the challenges faced by the industry and are taking steps to support them.

‘You will be aware DfT recently announced that they are streamlining the process for HGV drivers and have increased the number of tests that they have made available.

‘But obviously we will work closely with industry, we recognise there are issues that many are facing. This is a problem that many countries around the world are tackling.’

Asked if the PM accepts the UK is facing a tough winter, the spokesman said: 'We acknowledge there are issues facing many industries across the UK and not just in terms of HGV drivers but we have obviously seen the increase in wholesale gas.

‘That is why you have seen Kwasi Kwarteng speaking and working incredibly closely with industry over the course of this week and we will continue to do so.’

The spokesman said the fuel and food sectors have a 'very resilient and robust supply chain' and people should continue to shop as normal.

A BP spokesman said today: 'We are experiencing some fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades.

 

[MichaelUK]

I can confirm panic buying as already started at the local Morrisons petrol station Was over 50 cars queueing to get into it when I passed earlier, had not heard the news at the time and I was thinking okay what's going on here then.

 

[mecoastie]

For folks over there, do a alot of people have alternative heating in their homes? Wood, coal ,peat etc?

 

[Millwright]

It took a long time to go bad, may take longer to recover?

 

[jed turtle]

Coming to a neighborhood near you, soon. Very soon.
unfortunately, “collapse now, beat the rush” is a warning taken too late by too many...

 

[WalknTrot]

Wrong thread. Sorry.

 

[Melodi]

I can confirm panic buying as already started at the local Morrisons petrol station Was over 50 cars queueing to get into it when I passed earlier, had not heard the news at the time and I was thinking okay what's going on here then.

Thank you MichaelUK for an on-the-ground report, I'm only getting what I can read, I'm not in the UK and I'm in very rural Ireland so things tend to take a bit to hit here if they are going to. I have no idea if we will be affected yet or not.

And BoJo really is starting to sound more and more like Bagdad Bob...

I just spent 10 minutes trying to edit this and the computer ate it so here is part of it as it is too long for the software and best seen at the link.

Motorists urged by Number 10 to 'shop for fuel as usual' as BP shuts some petrol stations

The company insists it has plenty of fuel but too few delivery drivers to keep up with demand as petrol provision becomes the supply chain problems described as a "cocktail of chaos".

news.sky.com

Motorists urged by Number 10 to 'shop for fuel as usual' as BP shuts some petrol stations
The company insists it has plenty of fuel but too few delivery drivers to keep up with demand as petrol provision becomes the supply chain problems described as a "cocktail of chaos".

By James Sillars and John-Paul Ford Rojas, business reporters
Thursday 23 September 2021 18:19, UK

Image:BP was hit by similar delivery disruption earlier this summer

• https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...el as usual' as BP shuts some petrol stations

Motorists have been urged by the government to "shop for fuel as usual" after BP said it had closed some of its petrol stations due to supply issues.

The energy giant said tens of forecourts in its 1,200-strong network were experiencing shortages - blamed on the nationwide lack of HGV drivers - while rival Esso said a few of its sites were affected.

Tesco said two of the 500 petrol stations it operates were currently affected, describing the impact as minimal and ensuring that supply is replenished whenever this happens.

Image:BP said it was sorry for 'any inconvenience'
It is the latest in a series of supply chain issues being grappled with by ministers - after the separate issue of surging gas prices created a crisis in the energy sector and knock-on damage to carbon dioxide production, which has threatened to disrupt food processing.

A spokesman for the prime minister said the government acknowledged that there were "issues facing many industries across the UK, and not just in terms of HGV drivers".

He added that there was no shortage of fuel and that there was a "very resilient and robust supply chain".
"People should continue to shop for fuel as usual," the spokesman said.

• https://news.sky.com/story/energy-c...-sector-as-it-eyes-shift-to-electric-12415151

Is Britain running on empty? Here's what we're short of

Image:The PM's spokesman insists there remains a 'very resilient and robust supply chain'

The shortage of drivers is blamed on a confluence of issues including non-UK workers affected by Brexit, pandemic delays holding up HGV tests, and drivers being caught up in the "pingdemic" of COVID alerts earlier this year.

But Rod McKenzie of the Road Haulage Association told Sky News: "This is a cocktail of chaos, and I'm afraid it's getting worse because the attrition rate is against us.

"We have got more drivers leaving than joining, so as every week goes by there's something new in the supply chain that's creaking and crumbling."

Jim McMahon, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said: "This is a rapidly worsening crisis that the government has failed to heed the warnings of for a decade, never investing in or valuing working class jobs."

BP, which previously experienced similar disruption in July, said it was "prioritising" the sites experiencing shortages to ensure they are re-stocked first.

In a statement, the company said: "We are experiencing fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades.

"These have been caused by delays in the supply chain, which has been impacted by industry-wide driver shortages across the UK and we are working hard to address this issue.

"We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Play Video - HGV drivers have had 'two or three pay rises without even asking'

HGV drivers have had 'two or three pay rises without even asking'

Esso said a "small number" of its 200 Tesco Alliance retail sites - operated jointly with the supermarket chain and separate from the two mentioned by Tesco itself - were impacted.

"We are working closely with all parties in our distribution network to optimise supplies and minimise any inconvenience to customers," Esso said.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience."

Tesco said: "We have good availability of fuel, with deliveries arriving at our petrol filling stations across the UK every day."
Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons said they were not affected. Shell was also understood not to be affected.

Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers' Association - which represents independent forecourts across the UK, equating to 65% of the total - said some sites had confirmed delayed deliveries, but the issue appeared to be "confined to London and the South-East and appear temporary by nature".

He said that with fuel demand still at only 92% of pre-pandemic levels, "we believe there should be ample stock available at refineries and delivery terminals throughout the UK".

Image:A shortage of HGV drivers has been blamed for the issue
"The PRA recommends that motorists maintain sufficient fuel in the tank to enable them to get to an alternative filling station in the rare instance that fuel is not available," Mr Balmer added.

Logistics UK, which represents the logistics industry, said: "Logistics UK is aware of reports that petrol supplies are currently being affected by the HGV driver shortage.

"The driver shortage is a very serious issue that needs urgent government and industry action to resolve, however, we urge people not to panic buy.

"The logistics industry is resilient and has proven capable of supporting shops, families and businesses during COVID-19, border closures and the first stages of Brexit, and will continue to serve the needs of the nation."

The fuel delivery woes mark another front in the fight against supply chain disruption caused by the nationwide shortage of qualified HGV and tanker drivers - estimated at more than 100,000 by an industry body.

It has formed part of the UK's growing inflation problem as pay rises - to attract more drivers and retain them - add to surging bills from stiff competition for the swift delivery of goods.

Meanwhile, Tesco has warned the government that it was worried about the sight of empty shelves, caused by the driver shortage, prompting panic-buying ahead of Christmas.

Play Video - Iceland boss says 'no need to panic buy'

Iceland boss says 'no need to panic buy'

BP sources stressed that there was no shortage of diesel and petrol and that therefore the situation should not be described as rationing. ["Give me another word for it" Joan Biaz Song Quote - Melodi]

However, a top BP manager was reported to have warned the government that the situation was getting worse.
The company is understood to have expressed concerns about the driver shortage issue at a meeting with government officials last week.

It warned then of a looming squeeze on the ability to get product from refineries to forecourts.
According to ITV News, the company's head of UK retail Hanna Hofer said it was important the government understood the "urgency of the situation", which she described as "bad, very bad", with BP having "two-thirds of normal forecourt stock levels.. for smooth operations".
The Road Haulage Association has led calls for ministers to back down on their refusal to add EU drivers to the Shortage Occupation List which bypasses post-Brexit legislation on immigration.
The boss of Iceland Foods used an interview with Sky News on Thursday to support the industry's position as supermarket, and other consumer brands, warn of the prospect of Christmas shortages without a flood of additional help to get supplies through.
Ministers have argued that the driver problem is a Europe-wide issue, and it is providing additional support in the form of cutting red tape to aid recruitment and testing.

 

[Cyclonemom]

Stealing a line from Housecarl.......

Merde

 

[Melodi]

Part of a very long UK Daily Mail article best seen at the link...

Ministers hold urgent talks on HGV visas amid fuel panic buying

Boris Johnson is under pressure to deploy soldiers to drive petrol trucks as a major shortage of HGV drivers threatens to wreak havoc this winter.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The Winter of Incompetence? Ministers hold urgent talks as panic buying of petrol begins with food and fuel supply chains crippled by HGV driver shortage - as PM is roasted for failing to see crisis coming

• Oil giant BP has said it cannot maintain petrol and diesel deliveries due to the lack of lorry drivers in the UK
• The news is the latest sign of industries in the UK struggling to cope with the shortage of HGV drivers
• Ministers are meeting to consider giving temporary visas to foreign HGV drivers to help ease the pressure
• Meanwhile, food supply chains have been placed under intense stress by the HGV situation and a CO2 crisis
• **Is your local petrol station packed-out with panic buyers? Or has your petrol station already run out of fuel and been forced to close? Contact me with your pictures: james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk**

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE and JAMES ROBINSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 13:53, 24 September 2021 | UPDATED: 14:33, 24 September 2021



Ministers have been accused of dooming Britain to a Winter of Incompetence as panic buying of fuel escalated today amid urgent talks on giving temporary visas to foreign HGV drivers.
The government has been lambasted for failing to see the problems coming as huge queues developed at petrol stations, with fears rationing might even be needed.

Despite desperate assurances from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and people should 'carry on as normal', queues of cars built up at garages across the country

In the face of the chaos, ministers seem to be on the verge of agreeing to shore up the numbers of HGV drivers by granting temporary visas to EU nationals - something that retailers and industry have been demanding for months but they previously resisted.

Environment Secretary George Eustice is thought to have been pushing for the move along with Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay. Mr Shapps, who has previously been sceptical saying that businesses should pay Britons more to take the jobs rather than rely on cheap labour from abroad, struck a notably softer tone in interviews this morning. Kwasi Kwarteng is also seemingly lowering objections to a time-limited change.

But critics question why it has taken so long to address the problems, as companies have been raising alarm for months about the brewing crisis. The driver shortage has been exacerbated by a huge backlog in HGV tests due to Covid, as well as foreign drivers returning home amid the pandemic and Brexit.

There have also been huge pressures on global supply chains with economies getting up and running after the effective coronavirus shutdown - as well as factors like the Suez canal having been blocked months ago.

Desperate motorists were cramming into forecourts in Tonbridge, Kent, in Ely, Cambridgeshire, Bright and Leeds this morning.

One petrol station in Essex, was already said to have run out of diesel by this morning, while outside another forecourt on the A12, also in Essex, queues were said to be 'three rows deep to every pump'.

The scenes of queues outside petrol stations - which for some will stir up memories of the 1973 Opec Oil Crisis and the 2000 fuel shortage - come amid fears of a 1978-style 'winter of discontent' for the UK, with skyrocketing energy prices, food shortages and fuel rationing.

Yesterday BP announced plans to ration fuel and a 'handful' of its petrol stations, along with 'small number' of Tesco refilling stations, while supermarkets warned of food shortages and more energy firms went bust amid rising gas prices - sparking fears of a new 'winter of discontent'.

And in a particularly unhelpful addition to the problem, eco-mob Insulate Britain returned to the roads today to block off a route to Port of Dover - Europe's busiest port and the UK's main gateway for trade from the EU.

Last night the Petrol Retailers Association added to the rising sense of carnage by urging motorists to 'keep a quarter of a tank' of fuel in their vehicles in preparation for potential closures of local petrol stations.
Among the issues threatening a winter of discontent are:

• A shortage of natural gas causing a spike in gas bills for millions of Britons, along with the possibility of dozens of small energy firms going bust;
• However ministers say 'there is no question of the lights going out, of people being unable to heat their homes. There will be no three-day working week, or a throwback to the 1970s';
• A shortage of natural gas leading to the closure of fertiliser plants, which produce the CO2 used in fizzy drinks and the meat industry;
• The Government has since agreed a deal with fertiliser firms to restart a factory in a bid to maintain CO2 production;
• A lorry driver shortage which is crippling the UK's transport industry, leaving to empty shelves and slow delivery times;
• Bosses say this could impact both of Christmas dinners and have an impact on the number of toys on the shelves;
• Now bosses of major fuel firms have warned they will have to start shutting petrol stations because there are not enough lorry drivers to effectively distribute to all of its petrol stations;
• It comes after the Bank of England warned on Thursday that surging household energy bills would send the cost of living spiralling by more than 4 per cent this winter - the highest rate of growth for a decade

+34

SIDCUP, KENT: Queues of cars spill out on the road from a Kent forecourt today after fuel bosses warned of rationing and petrol station closures

+34

Drivers wait in line for fuel at a petrol station near the M4 in Coryton, Cardiff today as concerns grow

+34

Vehicles bumper-to-bumper in Harpenden as they try to get into a BP garage today

+34

BRIGHTON: Customers queue for fuel at a supermarket petrol station in Brighton this morning . Some BP and Shell petrol stations have had to temporarily close because of a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK

+34

LEEDS: Queues at a Sainsbury's Petrol Station in Colton, Leeds. Drivers are being urged by the Government to 'buy fuel as normal', after the lorry driver shortage hit supplies

 

[WalknTrot]

This seems to be coming to a head rather quickly. Be interesting to see what BoJo does with it.

 

[Melodi]

I guessing that in the next day or three there will be a "temporary" visa program for non-UK nationals (mostly from the EU) and/or they will assign some of the militaries to start driving trucks.

Both the energy and CO2 gas problems are harder and deeper to solve. The UK public is furious at the government paying "tens of millions of pounds" in taxpayer dollars to an American billionaire to open up his fertilizer production plants, but in the short term, they really had no choice.

But that is only a very short-term solution so either some other methods of packaging and animals slaughter will have to be introduced (and they do exist, even in Europe) or they will need to find other sources for their Co2. The other option, which I am not saying is a good idea, would be the nationalization of Mr. Billionare's factories if he finds it unprofitable to run them and simply insists on shutting them down.

There are just a lot of things happening all at once, made worse now by the public panic partly caused by "Bagdad BoJo" and his "everything is just fine, there are no problems here" nonsense.

I suspect long term, the UK may be building a few new atomic power plants or try to, but that won't help with keeping the heat on this Winter (or next).

 

[intothatgoodnight]

I guessing that in the next day or three there will be a "temporary" visa program for non-UK nationals (mostly from the EU) and/or they will assign some of the militaries to start driving trucks.

Both the energy and CO2 gas problems are harder and deeper to solve. The UK public is furious at the government paying "tens of millions of pounds" in taxpayer dollars to an American billionaire to open up his fertilizer production plants, but in the short term, they really had no choice.

But that is only a very short-term solution so either some other methods of packaging and animals slaughter will have to be introduced (and they do exist, even in Europe) or they will need to find other sources for their Co2. The other option, which I am not saying is a good idea, would be the nationalization of Mr. Billionare's factories if he finds it unprofitable to run them and simply insists on shutting them down.

There are just a lot of things happening all at once, made worse now by the public panic partly caused by "Bagdad BoJo" and his "everything is just fine, there are no problems here" nonsense.

I suspect long term, the UK may be building a few new atomic power plants or try to, but that won't help with keeping the heat on this Winter (or next).

The UK government's paying of "tens of millions of pounds" in UK taxpayer dollars to an American billionaire, so that he would open up his fertilizer production plants, could have been the vital cover needed to run a large money laundering/under-the-table graft operation - LOOK, there goes a SQUIRREL," as the UK taxpayers willingly watch (OH! OK, then . . . ) what the right-hand is doing, and not what the left-hand is actually accomplishing.

YMMV.


intothegoodnight

 

[mecoastie]

What about coal power plants. Are there any still in the UK operating or idle ones that could be brought bak online?

Found my answer:
List of active coal-fired power stations in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

Looks like 3 active. They may want to look at converting those others back to coal and bringing the shut downs back online.

 

[Melodi]

There is talk of bringing more coal plants back on line but nothing solid yet. Below is part of a constantly updating thread from sky news - it is a good way to keep up on this story if someone is interested.

Energy crisis live updates: Almost 400 petrol stations impose £30 limit on fuel due to 'unprecedented customer demand'

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tells Sky News the government will "do whatever it takes" to alleviate shortages; BP closes some petrol stations amid shortage of truck drivers.

news.sky.com

Energy crisis live updates: BP say up to 100 petrol stations hit by shortages as long queues of cars form at forecourts across UK

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tells Sky News the government will "do whatever it takes" to alleviate shortages; BP closes some petrol stations amid shortage of truck drivers.

CO2 Shortage
Energy
LIVE




Why you can trust Sky News
Key points:

Ministers to hold urgent talks on driver shortage as AA urges motorists not to take more fuel than normal
BP says between 50 to 100 of its petrol stations are affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel

Christmas tree shortage and price warning as sellers hit by labour and supply chain issues

What do you do if your energy supplier goes bust - and which companies have already folded?
Energy crisis, labour shortages and supply chain issues hitting the UK - here's what we're short of and the industries under threat | Explainer
Why gas prices have soared and left UK facing prospect of food shortages | Explainer
Live reporting by Lucia Binding
17:39

In pictures: Handwritten signs are stuck to empty petrol pumps

As thousands queued in a bid to get hold of petrol on Friday, handwritten signs were stuck to a petrol pump with no fuel available at a Shell filling station in Manchester.

The oil group said earlier it was seeing increased demand for fuel at some of its petrol stations as worries over lorry driver shortages sent drivers to fill up their tanks.

Gas price spike promises a 'perfect storm for homelessness' – charity

A survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the housing charity Shelter found 26% of renters could not keep their homes warm in winter, equivalent to 5.3 million people in England.

With energy prices rising, the furlough scheme due to end on Thursday and Universal Credit being cut a week later, the charity has called for urgent action to protect renters from the threat of eviction and homelessness.

Polly Neate, Shelter's chief executive, said: "The triple whammy of the furlough scheme ending, cuts to Universal Credit and rocketing fuel prices may be the final straw for many renters barely hanging on to their homes.

"We are facing a perfect storm for homelessness to rise, and the new housing secretary must get a handle on the situation before winter arrives."

 

[Melodi]

Ministers hold urgent talks on driver shortage as Shell experiences 'increased demand' at petrol stations

BP says tens of forecourts in its 1,200-strong network are experiencing shortages - blamed on the nationwide lack of HGV drivers - while rival Esso says a few of its sites are affected.

news.sky.com

Ministers hold urgent talks on driver shortage as Shell experiences 'increased demand' at petrol stations
BP says tens of forecourts in its 1,200-strong network are experiencing shortages - blamed on the nationwide lack of HGV drivers - while rival Esso says a few of its sites are affected.

Alan McGuinness
Political reporter @Alan_McGuinness
Friday 24 September 2021 17:27, UK

Play Video - 'We'll move heaven and earth' to alleviate shortages

'We'll move heaven and earth' to alleviate shortages
https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sha...riences 'increased demand' at petrol stations

Why you can trust Sky News
Ministers have held urgent talks on how to address the current shortage of lorry drivers, after the transport secretary told Sky News motorists should "carry on as normal" when it comes to buying petrol after some companies and operators reported fuel supply issues.

Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates reports that the government is "on the brink of a U-turn" over visas to try and ease the shortfall, which has been estimated at more than 100,000 by one industry body.

Live updates from around the UK on the energy crisis

Play Video - Britain needs 150,000 HGV drivers

Britain needs 150,000 HGV drivers
"Until now the government have wanted to focus on letting people in the country who have high skills. But that excludes HGV drivers," he explained.

"Now we understand that there will be some relaxation of the visa system, possibly along the lines of the temporary workers relaxations that you get for seasonal fruit pickers, that kind of relaxation for the HGV industry."

Political correspondent Tamara Cohen reported earlier that ministers were split on whether or not to offer temporary visas to try and tackle the shortage of HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, Sky News understands that government departments are being asked to come up with emergency contingency plans in case high fuel prices persist.

• https://news.sky.com/story/trade-deal-not-the-be-all-and-end-all-says-top-us-diplomat-in-uk-12416427

The developments come as BP said on Friday afternoon that between 50 and 100 stations are affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel, with around 20 of its 1,200 sites currently closed through loss of delivery supply.
Shell said it is seeing "increased demand" at its petrol stations which in some cases may mean longer queues than normal.

The company added it is adapting its delivery schedules to make sure there are sufficient supplies, while Esso said a few of its sites were affected too.

Tesco said two of the 500 petrol stations it operates were currently affected, describing the impact as minimal and ensuring that supply is replenished whenever this happens.

In an email to customers, Texaco said its fuel supplies are "ample" and it will keep all of its stations adequately stocked, adding there is no need for customers to "fill up more frequently than normal".

Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons said they were not affected.

The AA has said that most of the UK's forecourts are working as they should, with president Edmund King saying: "There is no shortage of fuel and thousands of forecourts are operating normally with just a few suffering temporary supply chain problems.

"Fridays and the weekend always tend to be busier on forecourts as drivers either combine filling up with shopping runs, prepare for weekend trips or refuel for the start of the new working week.

"Drivers should not fill up outside their normal routines because, even if the occasional petrol station is temporarily closed, others just down the road will be open."

It is the latest in a series of supply chain issues being grappled with by ministers - after the separate issue of surging gas prices created a crisis in the energy sector and knock-on damage to carbon dioxide production, which has threatened to disrupt food processing.

 

[Red Baron]

Energy crisis live updates: BP say up to 100 petrol stations hit by shortages as long queues of cars form at forecourts across UK

I have never heard or read the term "forecourt" used before.

"Gas Station" seems much more straightforward?

 

[Melodi]

I have never heard or read the term "forecourt" used before.

"Gas Station" seems much more straightforward?

American English - Gas Station
British English - Forecourt (probably because usually they are in front of another business)

American English - Gasoline
British English - Petrol

American English - Freeway
British English - Motorway

Those are probably the ones more relevant to these stories right now, a few others might be:

British English - Que or Queuing
American English line or waiting in line

British Engish - On Benefits (or On the Dole)
American English- Welfare

 

[Red Baron]

American English - Gas Station
British English - Forecourt (probably because usually they are in front of another business)

American English - Gasoline
British English - Petrol

American English - Freeway
British English - Motorway

Those are probably the ones more relevant to these stories right now, a few others might be:

British English - Que or Queuing
American English line or waiting in line

British Engish - On Benefits (or On the Dole)
American English- Welfare

German - Gasoline = Benzin

RT 3:31

Rammstein - "Benzin" (Official Video)

View: https://youtu.be/z0wK6s-6cbo

I need time
No heroin nor alcohol nor nicotine
I don't need help
Nor caffeine
But I do need dynamite and turpentine
I need oil for gasoline [2]
Explosive like kerosene
With lots of octane and free of lead
A fuel like

Petrol

I don't need a friend
Nor cocaine
I need neither a doctor nor medicine
I don't need a woman, just Vaseline
Some nitroglycerine
I need money for gasoline
Explosive like kerosene
With lots of octane and free of lead
A fuel like

Petrol

Give me petrol

It flows through my veins
It sleeps in my tears
It leaks from my ears
Heart and kidneys are motors

Petrol

If you want to part with something
then you have to incinerate it
If you never want to see it again
let it swim in petrol
Petrol
I need petrol
Petrol
Give me petrol

 

[Melodi]

From the BBC...

Petrol driver shortage: Visa scheme planned to ease problems

The move by ministers follows a number of petrol stations shutting due to a lack of tanker drivers.

www.bbc.com

Petrol driver shortage: Ministers discuss supply issues
Published40 minutes ago
commentsComments
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Related Topics

• Brexit

image captionA BP petrol station in Worcester was closed on Thursday due to a lack of fuel
Senior ministers have met to discuss supply problems at petrol stations across the country.
Cabinet office, transport and environment department heads all took part.

A small number of petrol stations have been affected, and ministers say people should carry on buying petrol normally.
Earlier, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC nothing was being ruled out to help deliver petrol from refineries to stations.

Some ministers believe a temporary work visa scheme to bring more HGV lorry drivers into the UK from the European Union would help.

But others believe such an approach is not a long-term solution to the driver shortages.

The European Road Haulers Association also said temporary visas would be a "good idea" but are "only part of the solution".

The association said it is still easier to drive within the EU then driving between the EU and the UK, meaning that staying within the EU may still be more appealing for drivers.

A "handful" of BP stations, and a small number of Esso-owned Tesco Alliance stations, were closed on Thursday because of the lack of delivery drivers.

But Mr Shapps said refineries had "plenty of petrol"and that motorists should "carry on as normal". He told the BBC that the government could bring in the army to drive fuel tankers if it would help.

Despite reassurances, customers have been pictured queuing at some petrol stations. On social media, people have reported queues lasting for up to 30 minutes.

IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
image captionDrivers have queued at some petrol stations, despite government reassurances over supplies
It is estimated that the UK is short of about 100,000 HGV drivers - with gaps made worse by the pandemic and Brexit.

Reports in several newspapers suggested the government was considering getting soldiers to drive fuel tankers under emergency plans.

Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast: "If it can actually help, we will bring them in."
However, he said there would be "technicalities" as to whether military personnel could switch to driving civilian vehicles.

The AA said that most of the UK's forecourts were working as they should.

"There is no shortage of fuel and thousands of forecourts are operating normally with just a few suffering temporary supply chain problems," said AA president Edmund King. "Fridays and the weekend always tend to be busier on forecourts."

Mr King said drivers should not fill up outside their normal routines, because even if the occasional petrol station was temporarily closed, others just down the road would be open. "This was a manageable problem," said.

There are about 8,380 petrol stations in the UK, according to the Petrol Retailers Association. Of these, about 1% are believed to be closed at the moment.

It is understood that about 50 to 100 BP forecourts are affected by shortages, while Esso said "a small number" of its Tesco Alliance retail sites had been hit.

'We are not an attractive industry for the younger generation'

image captionHelena Wright is part of family firm W's Transport, based in north Norfolk

Helena Wright, transport manager for Norfolk-based firm W's Transport, told the BBC her company had sold two lorries after advertising for HGV drivers and not getting a single applicant.

"Normally we would have people on record to call who had left their details," she said. "This is the first time for our firm that that's happened, but it's a problem that has been a long time coming.

"I've got a lot of drivers that are over the age of 50, 55 and looking to retire and we are not attractive as an industry for the younger generation."

She said younger people were not prepared to spend four to five nights a week away from home and were not ready to put up with "inhumane" conditions.

The UK's Road Haulage Association (RHA) has urged the government to relax visa restrictions for foreign workers in the short term to ease the driver shortage.

But Mr Shapps told the BBC he did not want UK lorry drivers to "drop out" because of being "undercut" by cheaper EU labour.

He said there were "systemic problems" in the haulage industry that needed to be resolved, pointing out that the profession was "99% white male" with an average age of 55, facing poor conditions and wages.

Now, he said, pay was rising and there was "a gradual increase" in new drivers.

It is the latest problem caused by driver shortages, which have already led to supply squeezes in other industries, including supermarkets.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "The supply issues affecting a small number of petrol forecourts shouldn't impact the prices drivers pay to fill up.

"But unfortunately the price of oil, which has the biggest influence on what drivers pay at the pumps, is continuing to rise at the moment. This may lead to fuel prices going up in the coming days"
Supply chain 'creaking'
The RHA's Rod McKenzie told BBC Breakfast more lorry drivers were leaving the profession each week than joining it.
He said: "It's as simple as this: everything we get in Britain comes on the back of a truck.

"So if there is a shortage of HGV drivers - and there is by 100,000 - then it is inevitable that we are not going to get all the things we want when we want them."

Supermarket Iceland - which is about 100 drivers short - joined Morrisons and Ocado in calling for the government to add HGV drivers to the list of shortage occupations.

That would allow foreign workers to apply for skilled worker visas to fill the current gaps.

"I think the solution - even if it's temporary - is very, very simple," said Iceland managing director Richard Walker. "Let's get HGV drivers on to the skilled worker list."

The RHA's Mr McKenzie said that on top of a historic shortage of drivers, the industry had lost 20,000 European drivers because of Brexit, while the pandemic had forced 40,000 driver training tests to be cancelled.

In a recent RHA survey of 616 hauliers, retiring colleagues and Brexit topped the list of reasons behind the driver shortages.

Respondents also cited tax changes to rules known as IR35, which have made it more expensive for hauliers from elsewhere in Europe to work or be employed in the UK.

 

[Red Baron]

So I guess the question is whether BP, as a corporation, has a specific problem retaining drivers or is it a real nationwide problem in the entire fuel delivery industry?

If the pay and benefits are competitive, I don't see a huge issue otherwise?

 

[Melodi]

So I guess the question is whether BP, as a corporation, has a specific problem retaining drivers or is it a real nationwide problem in the entire fuel delivery industry?

If the pay and benefits are competitive, I don't see a huge issue otherwise?

It is a real nationwide problem, and it has been affecting other goods, including food and other deliveries for weeks now.

There is a "shortage" of at least 100,000 truck drivers caused by a combination of BREXIT, Low Pay, Coronavirus restrictions, and the high costs of training.

This was suddenly engulfed in the larger problem of the suspension of Co2 production which the UK had become totally dependent on for almost all animal slaughter and packaging (including baked goods) and it was being produced at only TWO plants, both owned by an American Billionaire. When the price of fertilizer production got too high (the price of natural gas) he just shut down the plants, which was about to shut down most of the UK food industry which already had lots of shortages.

Most of the long-haul truckers doing the EU to UK "runs" and quite a few of the truckers inside the UK were Eastern Europeans, perfectly legal immigrants until BREXIT. Then they mostly went home and COVID put a lot of UK truckers off the road, plus a lot of them are in the mid to late 50s and just decided to retire.

Until this week, training to drive a truck and getting all the ducks in a row was pretty expensive, especially for a low-wage, high-stress job that involved many days away from home and only getting paid for actual time on the road.

That, and the fact that now almost all truck drivers in the EU don't want to bother going to the UK (or Ireland for that matter) because it is just easier to drive within the EU, had already set up a problem with the supply chains.

Now not having enough trucks (and I suspect in reality not quite enough gasoline either) is starting to seriously bite, especially with the lack of Co2 that is gumming up the food chain and the unimaginable raises in energy costs which are terrifying consumers and business people alike (and not just in the UK).

Hope that helps - as of this week, there are programs to fast-track truck driver training and even calling in the army in the short term to haul goods to market, also rising wages are attracting some people into the field. On the other hand, while thousands of people already have the correct paperwork to drive a truck, most like my housemate have other and better jobs they don't plan on giving up any time soon. My housemate is an engineer, but she used to be an ambulance driver, so she's qualified, but if Ireland also starts to have trucking problems, she's getting paid a lot more to design parts for water treatment plants than driving a truck would bring in.

 

[Red Baron]

Seems the UK is in a bit of a sticky wicket.

 

[Melodi]

Supply crisis: 'Catastrophic' panic buying of fuel 'going to get worse', says industry expert

Long lines of cars continue to form at petrol stations across the country after a shortage of HGV drivers forced some fuel retailers to shut their pumps and ration sales.

news.sky.com

Supply crisis: 'Catastrophic' panic buying of fuel 'going to get worse', says industry expert
Long lines of cars continue to form at petrol stations across the country on Saturday after a shortage of HGV drivers forced some fuel retailers to shut their pumps and ration sales.

David Mercer
News reporter @DavidMercerSky
Saturday 25 September 2021 17:07, UK

Play Video - Queues for fuel amid tanker driver shortage

Panicked motorists have caused lengthy queues at petrol stations for a second day - as an industry expert predicted the "catastrophic situation" is going to get worse before it improves.

Long lines of cars continued to form at forecourts across the country on Saturday after a shortage of HGV drivers forced some fuel retailers to shut their pumps and ration sales.

The petrol problems come after retailers warned a solution to the lack of truckers must be found within days to avoid "significant disruption" in the run-up to Christmas.
Fuel supply latest: Follow live updates as police urge motorists to 'be sensible'

Image:Motorists queue for petrol in Brockley, south London

Image:A man was seen carrying containers at a petrol station in Bracknell, Berkshire
Sky News understands that Boris Johnson has allowed minsters to relax immigration rules and up to 5,000 temporary visas could be issued to foreign lorry drivers.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, described the panic buying as a "catastrophic situation" and said he had witnessed queues up to a mile long at forecourts.

He told Sky News: "There's enough fuel at the refineries and terminals to supply the normal demand.
"What we have at the moment is abnormal demand where everyone is rushing to fill up their vehicles."
He added: "It is a crisis situation that has developed very quickly."

Why is there a HGV driver shortage and how bad could the problem get?

Mr Madderson warned that the panic buying of fuel risked impacting key workers trying to get to work.
"I think this situation is going to get worse before it gets better," he added.

An announcement on the temporary visa scheme aimed at HGV drivers is expected this weekend, with Number 10 insisting any move would be "very strictly time-limited".

The UK is facing a shortage of 100,000 HGV drivers, according to the Road Haulage Association.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the country had "ample fuel stocks" and insisted "there are no shortages".

But Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner criticised the government for the "crisis now on our forecourts".

She told Sky News: "People have started to panic buy fuel and I would urge people not to do that because that will only make the situation worse.

"But this is of the government's own doing and their failures."

Image:Fuel pumps ran dry at this Shell garage in Isleworth, west London

She added: "It's a theme that we have with this government - they constantly do things at the last minute, at the last possible point, and create the crisis in the first place.

"Once again Boris Johnson and his government have basically decided to have a laissez-faire attitude and hope that things will just fix themselves.

"Well, they haven't fixed themselves and their policies have come home to roost for the British public."

'It's stupidity' - Cars spill out on to roads beyond forecourts while waiting for fuel

People have been spotted filling up jerry cans with petrol in pictures being circulated on social media.
Lincolnshire Police urged drivers to be "sensible" about filling up at petrol stations after long queues for the pumps built up around the region.

Esso, BP and Tesco forecourts have been affected by problems getting petrol deliveries.

BP said around 20 of its 1,200 petrol forecourts were closed due to a lack of available fuel, with between 50 and 100 sites affected by the loss of at least one grade of fuel.

A "small number" of Tesco refilling stations have also been impacted, said Esso owner ExxonMobil, which runs the sites.
On Friday, the EG Group, which has around 400 petrol stations in the UK, said it was imposing a £30 limit "due to the current unprecedented customer demand for fuel".
Related Topics

• Supply Crisis

 

[alchemike]

By design...
Great reset...

 

[mzkitty]

 

[OldAndCrazy]

As a famous author put in her book.....it's all just temporary.

 

[Chance]

Show your vaccine card to get gas....coming soon.

 

[Melodi]

Part of a long, picture-heavy UK Daily Mail Article, I'm just posting the first bit because it contains most of the relevant information - lots of photos at the link.

Ambulance crashes into car waiting for fuel as petrol stations close

Footage taken last night in Bromley, Greater London, shows cars gridlocked on a road near a Shell petrol station when an ambulance with its siren blaring tries to bypass the traffic.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Government is forced to rip up competition laws to tackle petrol crisis with up to 90 per cent of forecourts out of fuel and the rest are running out quickly as chaos continues at the pumps

• An ambulance with a siren blaring was unable to pass gridlocked traffic queuing near a Bromley petrol station
• A witness said the ambulance ended up hitting a stationary car in a bid to rush to the emergency
• Police have also bypassed queues to fill up their cars as petrol stations continue to run out of fuel amid crisis
• Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association said panic buying had caused 'serious problems' for stock levels
• And oil giant BP said nearly a third of their petrol stations in Britain had run out of fuel

By JACK NEWMAN and JAMES ROBINSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:32, 26 September 2021 | UPDATED: 21:42, 26 September 20


As many as nine in ten forecourts have run out of fuel with the rest set to run out quickly, experts have warned amid a weekend of chaos that saw an ambulance hit a car in a petrol queue and ministers suspending competition laws in a bid to beat back the crisis.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has agreed to implement a measure to temporarily exempt the oil industry from the Competition Act 1998 for the purpose of sharing information and optimising supply.

Officials said the measure will make it easier for industry to share information so that they can prioritise the delivery of fuel to the parts of the country and strategic locations that are most in need.

The triggering of what is known as the Downstream Oil Protocol comes as the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) warned that as many as two-thirds of its membership of nearly 5,500 independent outlets was out of fuel, with the rest of them 'partly dry and running out soon'.

More petrol stations were forced to close today amid panic buying and the knock-on impact of the HGV crisis crippling the UK's transport industry.
And footage filmed in Bromley,
Greater London, showed an ambulance being driven by paramedics bumping into the back of the car as paramedics tried to manoeuvre past a queue for a Shell petrol station which had spilled onto the road.

The paramedics had to stop to exchange details with the driver of the damaged car and a different ambulance had to attend the emergency.

Police also jumped ahead of queues of traffic at a Hackney petrol station to avoid running out of fuel.

Government officials have given the green light for plans to bring in 5,000 foreign lorry drivers to deal with the shortage - with the UK said to be 100,000 HGV drivers short, according to the Road Haulage Association.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today took aim at the group, accusing them of sparking the panic buying crisis.

But he also warned that the lorry driver shortage could go on 'for years', despite the Government doubling the number of tests that can be carried out in a bid to quickly boost driver numbers.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA, said panic buying had caused 'serious problems' for stock levels, which the Government's foreign HGV driver visa plan was unlikely to fix quickly.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend, Mr Madderson said: 'I've talked to a lot of our members this morning. They serve the main roads, the rural areas, the urban roads, and anywhere in between 50% and 90% of their forecourts are currently dry, and those that aren't dry are partly dry and running out soon.

'We have seen another phenomenon which is that the oil companies, perhaps rightly, have been giving motorway service areas priority delivery, and so people are now flocking on to motorways wherever they have one nearby and buying fuel from the motorways. One of them mentioned to me that yesterday they had a 500% increase in demand compared to a week ago, which is quite extraordinary.'

Oil giant BP also said that nearly a third of their petrol stations in Britain have run out of fuel despite continued pleas for motorists to 'continue as normal'.

BP, which operates 1,200 sites in Britain, said in a statement: 'With the intense demand seen over the past two days, we estimate that around 30 per cent of sites in this network do not currently have either of the main grades of fuel.'

Mr Kwarteng said: 'We have long-standing contingency plans in place to work with industry so that fuel supplies can be maintained and deliveries can still be made in the event of a serious disruption. While there has always been and continues to be plenty of fuel at refineries and terminals, we are aware that there have been some issues with supply chains.

'This is why we will enact the Downstream Oil Protocol to ensure industry can share vital information and work together more effectively to ensure disruption is minimised. We thank HGV drivers and all forecourt staff for their tireless work during this period.'

As the developing fuel crisis unfolds, it was today revealed:

• That the government plan to fast-track visas for 5,000 HGV drivers and 5,500 poultry workers;
• However the move was criticised by industry experts, who said it was like 'throwing a thimble of water on a bonfire;
• Meanwhile Keir Starmer called for 100,000 foreign lorry drivers to be given the green light to come to the UK to solve HGV shortage after the Government unveils plans to grant 5,000 temporary visas;
• Boris Johnson, meanwhile, insisted on a pay rise for all truckers and will send a million of them morale-booster letters as he love-bombs HGV drivers to try and save Christmas;
• Ministers also pointed the finger at ex-BBC man and diehard Remainer who 'leaked remarks made by a BP executive at a private Government meeting';
• The BBC also came under fire for 'pretending driver crisis is all about Brexit' and ignoring the fact shortages have affected countries throughout the world;
• Experts warned there will be much less choice in supermarkets as bosses prepare for months of shortages that will leave gaps on shelves;
• And, in a further blow, it was revealed Britain's second biggest oil refinery Stanlow, was holding crisis talks with HMRC over a £223m VAT bill.

 

[Red Baron]

up to 90 per cent of forecourts out of fuel and the rest are running out quickly

That escalated quickly . .

Did the UK even try the odd/even day rationing we did in the 70's?

It was a pain but I suppose it was better than nothing.

My '65 Plymouth Fury back then had a 25 gallon fuel tank. I'll bet those euro cars have much smaller gas tanks?

 

[MichaelUK]

Hi Everyone, a quick update from me, there is no available petrol in my local area i.e within 5 miles of where I live. Not sure further away from me. Within 3 miles of my home, there are 6 petrol stations and they are all out of unleaded and diesel fuel. I live in a small village.

You may keep hearing about the shortage of HGV drivers, but we have had these shortages for a while now and the drivers are not just HGV they need ADR licence as well to drive with hazardous substances i.e fuel, toxic chemicals etc.

From what I am hearing is that when this first started it came from a report in the mainstream media outlets.

BP said on Thursday that up to 100 of its forecourts were short of at least one grade of fuel, with several forced to close entirely because of a lack of deliveries.

Esso said a handful of its petrol stations operated alongside Tesco Express stores were affected, while some of the supermarket chain’s own-branded sites were also suffering outages.

This is at the point panic-buying started on Thursday evening and by the end of Saturday night / Sunday morning, it is estimated that 90% of the forecourts throughout the United Kingdom are dry and have closed until deliveries can be made.

There is not a shortage of fuel just a shortage of fuel at the pumps, most of this could have been avoided in my opinion if the panic buying had not taken place and everyone bought their fuel as normal.

Anyway, I need to sign off and get to bed I will try and keep everyone updated on what is going on in my local area.

 

[jward]

BBC News (UK)
@BBCNews
11m

Tuesday’s FT: “Fuel buying frenzy puts health services at risk, doctors warn” #BBCPapers #TomorrowsPapersToday http://bbc.in/BBCPapers

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1442610107297189892

View: https://twitter.com/BBCNews/status/1442610107297189892?s=20

 

[jward]

Thanks for the on the ground reports; You take good care, Michael, we'll keep you in our thoughts.

 

[jward]

BBC News (World)
@BBCWorld
4m

Army put on standby to ease pressure on UK petrol stations

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1442613710380359681

View: https://twitter.com/BBCWorld/status/1442613710380359681?s=20