Transport Minister Grant Shapps on Sunday called on Britons to behave normally when buying petrol, saying there was no shortage of fuel and the government was stepping in to ease a shortage of drivers bringing it to petrol stations.
In recent days long lines of vehicles have formed at petrol stations as motorists waited, some for hours, to fill up with fuel after oil firms reported a lack of drivers was causing transport problems from refineries to forecourts."There's plenty of fuel, there's no shortage of the fuel within the country," he told Sky News.
Shapps said the shortage of drivers was down to COVID-19 disrupting the qualification process for drivers, preventing new labour from entering the market.Drivers queue to enter a fuel station in London, Britain, September 25, 2021. REUTERS/Peter NichollsBut business leaders have warned the government's plan is short-term fix and will not solve an acute labour shortage that risks major disruption beyond fuel deliveries, including for retailers in the run-up to Christmas.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Afghanistan’s Taliban Warn Foot Soldiers: Behave, and Stop Taking SelfiesMen who recently spent their days in bloody battle are now frolicking in parks and the zoo, drawing admonishments from the defense minister.
Read more »
Long queues and fuel rationing as Britain faces truck driver shortageWith Britain facing an acute labor shortage that has led to fuel rationing at hundreds of gas stations and retailers warning of shortages over Christmas, the government is expected to announce plans to issue temporary work visas to foreign truck drivers
Read more »
UK to issue visas to lorry drivers amid long queues at gas stationsGovernment will allow up to 5,000 foreign drivers into the country on short-term visas, a measure that logistics companies and retailers have demanded for months but experts estimate a shortfall of around 100,000 heavy goods vehicle drivers.
Read more »
UK urges public calm over shut fuel stationsBritain on Friday urged the public not to panic-buy fuel, as some petrol stations closed pumps due to a lack of tanker delivery drivers, adding to the government's growing list of woes and stoking consumer fears of worse to come before Christmas.
Read more »
Trudeau: Two Canadians released by China are headed homeFormer diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor had 'left Chinese airspace, and they're on their way home,' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa.
Read more »
Wild thunderstorms hit San Diego County with 283 lightning boltsThe lightning forced San Diego International Airport to briefly stop fueling jets.
Read more »