LONG queues at petrol stations have been seen all around the country as motorists panic-buy fuel.
The Government has said there are “no shortages” and the country has “ample fuel stocks,” so why are drivers desperate to fill up their tanks?
How long will the petrol shortage last?
There is not a petrol shortage but the problem is said to have been caused by the shortage of drivers transporting the fuel from terminals to forecourts.
While there are chronic problems around the country with people panic-buying petrol it doesn’t seem that the issue will be solved any time soon.
BP said it is hopeful fuel stocks at forecourts will stabilise and start to rebuild at some point in October.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to temporarily loosen immigration rules so foreign HGV drivers can work in Britain to help with the crisis.
But No10 has warned any measures introduced would be “very strictly time-limited”.
Ministers are also said to be drawing up emergency plans to bring soldiers in to drive tankers to forecourts suffering supply issues.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has urged drivers not to panic buy and told drivers to "carry on as normal".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have ample fuel stocks in this country and the public should be reassured there are no shortages.
"But like countries around the world we are suffering from a temporary Covid-related shortage of drivers needed to move supplies around the country.
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"We're looking at temporary measures to avoid any immediate problems, but any measures we introduce will be very strictly time-limited.
"We are moving to a high-wage, high-skilled economy and businesses will need to adapt with more investment in recruitment and training to provide long-term resilience.”
Is there a limit on amount of petrol I can buy?
Hundreds of petrol stations are now planning to impose a £30 fuel cap per driver to ensure everyone has a “fair chance to refuel”.
The EG Group, which has 341 petrol stations in the UK, confirmed the emergency services and lorry drivers would not be affected.
A spokesperson said: “Due to the current unprecedented customer demand for fuel and associated supply challenges we have taken the decision to introduce a limit of £30 per customer on all of our grades of fuel.
"This excludes HGV drivers and emergency services due to their vital role at this time. “This is a company decision to ensure all our customers have a fair chance to refuel and to enable our sites to carry on running smoothly.
"We kindly ask everyone visiting our sites to treat our colleagues, supply chain partners and customers with respect during these very challenging times.
"All of EG Group’s UK sites remain open and operational to serve customers.”
Up to 100 BP petrol stations have been affected by the loss of fuel with around 20 of the company's 1,200 forecourts closed.
BP said it was cutting deliveries at 90 per cent of its petrol stations in an effort to ration the fuel it has in reserve.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) warned that drivers should keep a quarter of a tank of fuel in their car in case their normal station ran out.
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