THE Army has begun driving tankers to deliver petrol – despite the fuel crisis in the South East being blasted as "absolutely horrendous" by experts.
Countless pumps are still running on empty nation-wide, with the fuel crisis a serious issue in London and the South East, according to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).
Now, nearly 200 soldiers are delivering fuel in a bid to end the crisis after going through a crash HGV course.
Military tanker drivers have been undertaking training at haulier sites and have been deployed to deliver fuel to forecourts across the country to help relieve the situation, which the Government insists is stabilising.
However some supermarkets are operating as normal. Sainsbury’s has said it is not currently experiencing any issues at its petrol stations, of which there are around 300.
A spokesperson said: “We’re closely monitoring the situation and working closely with our supplier to maintain fuel supply.”
Read our energy companies live blog for live updates on the crisis…
- Milica Cosic
Can I get fined for looking up where to get petrol on my phone while driving?
In short, yes. Drivers caught using their phones while behind the wheel face fines and points on their licence.
It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, all hand-held mobile activity while driving was made illegal from October 2020.
You can use hands-free phones – as long as you don’t press any buttons – as well as sat navs and two-way radios.
So in theory, you could use voice command to find out where your nearest petrol station is.
But if the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle, you could still get stopped and penalised.
The law also applies to those riding a motorcycle.
- Milica Cosic
How do I use Google Maps to spot long queues?
Using apps like Google Maps you can locate your nearest petrol station and even check prices.
To find out where the biggest queues are go to Google Maps, search petrol stations and using the terrain tab on the top right-hand side select traffic view.
Red lines on the map will show where heavy traffic is being reported, with green lines indicating that the roads are clear.
The app will also show you what time the station is open and sometimes display the cost of fuel there as well.
- Milica Cosic
'Lack of choice'
Experts have warned there will be a "distinct lack of choice" on supermarket shelves with some festive favourites likely to be in short supply.
Industry insiders have warned the fallout from a week of major disruption could take a month or more to fully repair.
And now some of Britain's biggest retailers are sounding the alarm about supplies of goods coming into the country for Christmas.
Clive Black, a retail analyst at Shore Capital, told The Times he expects the festive season to be "a nightmare for consumers".
He said: "There will be food on supermarket shelves but there will be a distinct lack of choice.
"Shortages of labour have meant businesses have not laid down the same number of turkeys or planted the same number of crops.
"And the HGV driver shortage is compounding the problem.
"A lot of people eating on Christmas Day will be asking 'what the hell is this?' It won't be traditional."
He predicted that other meats and nut roasts will replace turkey and carbonated drinks like beer may be scarce and expensive.
- Milica Cosic
Christmas panic
BRITS have already been going crackers panic buying turkeys as sales of the frozen fowl rocket by more than 400 per cent.
With fears Christmas dinner could be "cancelled" due to shortages, thousands have been dashing to supermarkets to stock up early as Boris Johnson conceded the country's delivery crisis could last months.
Supermarket chain Iceland has revealed sales of frozen turkeys have surged 409 per cent compared to the same time last year, admitting customers are "concerned about food supply", reports the Telegraph.
The frozen-food empire had already increased its order of turkeys by 20 percent in anticipation of soaring demands.
Fears turkeys could be in scarce supply have grown as the government scrambles to plug a desperate shortage of truckers.
Customers are 'concerned about food supply' Credit: Reuters - Milica Cosic
Petrol prices hit eight-year high
PETROL prices have soared to an eight-year high as panic at the pumps continues and motorists struggle to fill their tanks.
Latest government figures show the average price of petrol has now reached 134.86p a litre but there are ways you can save on fuel costs. That’s up from 113.5p a year ago.
The cost of diesel has leapt to 137.35p a litre, up from 118.24p a year ago.
Some motorists have complained of paying more at the pumps though, with reports of drivers being charged as much as 154.9p for a litre of fuel.
The last time prices were higher was January 2014 when diesel reached 138.24p a litre – but unleaded fuel at the time was considerably cheaper than it is today at 130.57p.
- Milica Cosic
‘Shortages could continue until Xmas’
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned that shortages of goods could continue until Christmas, adding that we’re seeing “real disruptions in supply chains.”
He told the Mail: “We are determined to do what we can to try to mitigate as much of this as we can.”
The Chancellor revealed that he has “full confidence and optimism” about economic recovery, despite the problems with energy, food, and fuel supplies.
The Government said that demand for fuel has stabilised and there is now more being delivered than sold, but that some parts of the country still face challenges.
- Milica Cosic
They’ve hit the jackpot AGAIN
FANS of The Simpsons have claimed the animated series “predicted” the petrol shortage sweeping the UK.
The 2010 episode titled “Lisa Simpson, This Isn’t Your Life” has become the focus of social media sleuths.
Homer is seen purchasing 1,000 gallons of fuel and free-pouring it into his car boot, carelessly pumping the fuel into the back of his car – seemingly mirroring the actions of greedy gas-guzzlers.
A clip of The Simpsons episode has now caused a stir after being shared on social media alongside the caption: “Is there anything the Simpsons didn’t predict?!”
“Convinced the guy that made The Simpsons is definitely a time traveller,” one confused commenter wrote.
“At this rate, we might as well just plan ahead using Simpson episodes,” another said. “We’re living in the Matrix!”
- Milica Cosic
Retail giant warns of more chaos before Xmas
Fashion giant Next said shortages would continue to plague the wider economy in the run-up to Christmas unless the Government took action to address the “looming skills crisis”.
It said the shortage of HGV drivers had been “widely predicted for many months” and called on ministers to relax the immigration rules to avoid further shortfalls.
“We anticipate that, without some relaxation of immigration rules, we are likely to experience some degradation in our service in the run-up to Christmas,” it said.
“For the sake of the wider UK economy, we hope that the Government will take a more decisive approach to the looming skills crisis in warehouses, restaurants, hotels, care homes and many seasonal industries.
“A demand-led approach to ensuring the country has the skills it needs is now vital.”
- Milica Cosic
Temporary visa for HGV drivers in use from late October
In an announcement on Friday last week, the Government said 300 fuel drivers would be able to come to the UK from overseas “immediately” under a bespoke temporary visa which will last until March.
Some 4,700 other visas intended for foreign food haulage drivers will be extended beyond the initially announced three months and will last from late October to the end of February.
A total of 5,500 poultry workers will also be allowed in to help keep supermarket shelves stocked with turkeys before Christmas.
The Government has said these workers, who can arrive from late October, will now be able to stay up to December 31 under the temporary visa scheme.
But the Government added that the visas will not be a long-term solution and it wants to see employers make investments in the UK domestic workforce instead of relying on overseas labour.
- Milica Cosic
‘I thought it was high at £1.98.5’
In a frantic big to avoid running out – and to capitalise on the rush for petrol – one greedy London forecourt is charging £2.67 per litre.
Motorists watched as the cost of petrol shot up by 35 per cent from an already pricey £1.98 at the Gulf station in Sloane Avenue, west London.
Local resident Simon Lloyd, 56, said: “I thought it was high at £1.98.5 and then it’s gone up.
“It wouldn’t suprise me by Sunday it will be banging on the door at three quid. It’s always been expensive.
“It’s only a small petrol station with three pumps, they are trying to dissuade people in a nice way from filling up their tanks.
“But the guy in the picture filled up with 55 litres so it’s not deterring people at all, they will pay any price.
“There were guys parked in there for hours waiting for it to open.”
- Milica Cosic
News you may have missed from the week
- Britain faces a months-long fuel, energy, and food crisis, ministers fear
- A man was filmed shouting “I’ll slap you” at a woman in a petrol station row after she confronted him over “jumping a two-hour queue”
- Ambulance drivers are sent begging letters urging them to help drive fuel trucks amid petrol crisis
- What UK petrol stations have fuel near YOU – Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda and Morrisons all OPEN but crisis will still last WEEKS
1 in 10 breakdown policies don’t cover running out of fuel
One in 10 breakdown policies has no cover for drivers who run out of fuel, analysis has found.
Some 89% of UK breakdown policies analysed by financial information business Defaqto will cover customers who run out of fuel.
Brian Brown, consumer finance expert at Defaqto, said: “With the current panic buying of fuel around the country, it is much more difficult to top up your vehicle.
“Inevitably, we are likely to see more people running out of fuel while driving. If this happens to you, and you have breakdown cover, your provider will most likely be able to help you out by towing you to a petrol station.
“Just because they will tow you to a petrol station, or give you enough fuel to get you to one, there’s no guarantee that the filling station will have fuel. And they will not tow you all over the country looking for fuel, so you still need to be careful.
“Even if you don’t have a standalone breakdown insurance policy, you may find that it is included with your vehicle insurance or even included as an extra with your bank account if you have a premium account. Not all policies have this cover, though, and so it is worth checking before you claim.”
Military being deployed as a caution says Sajid
In a bid to encourage calm and dissuade panic buyers, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the fuel situation is “stabilising” in most parts of the country and the military is being deployed as a “precaution”.
He told Sky News: “I think it is right that as a precaution that the Government has asked the military to help.
“I think that is the right measure to take to make sure that people have all the confidence that they need.
“I think that will further stabilise the situation and give more confidence.”
Delivery to come soon
Nearly 200 soldiers will start delivering petrol on MONDAY in a bid to end the UK fuel crisis after going through a crash HGV course.
Military tanker drivers have been undertaking training at haulier sites and will be deployed to deliver fuel to forecourts across the country to help relieve the situation, which the Government insists is stabilising.
The Ministry of Defence approved the request for assistance and soldiers will start driving fuel lorries on Monday next week.
Read more here.
Explained: has there been a fuel shortage before?
The last time the UK experienced serious fuel shortages was in 2000 when protests over rising prices led to many forecourts running dry.
Farmers and lorry drivers blockaded refineries meaning fuel could not
be transported to petrol stations.Petrol retailers began rationing their remaining supplies as panicked motorists tried to stockpile.
Schools closed, the NHS was cast into an emergency state, and Royal Mail said it only had enough fuel for one more day of deliveries.
- Milica Cosic
Stay and help
The temporary visa scheme was announced last week as panic buying hit filling stations across the UK, with a shortage of HGV drivers having affected supplies of petrol and diesel.
As well as foreign drivers, 5,500 poultry workers will also be allowed in to help keep supermarket shelves stocked with turkeys before Christmas.
But it added that the visas will not be a long-term solution and it wants to see employers make investments in the UK domestic workforce instead of relying on overseas labour.
It said it is also working with industry to find long-term solutions to the shortage of HGV drivers and to encourage more people to enter the logistics by improving pay and conditions.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Thanks to the immense efforts of industry over the past week, we are seeing continued signs that the situation at the pumps is slowly improving.
“UK forecourt stock levels are trending up, deliveries of fuel to forecourts are above normal levels, and fuel demand is stabilising.
“It’s important to stress there is no national shortage of fuel in the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. The sooner we return to our normal buying habits, the sooner we can return to normal.”
- Milica Cosic
How do I use Google Maps to spot long queues?
Using apps like Google Maps you can locate your nearest petrol station and even check prices.
To find out where the biggest queues are go to Google Maps, search petrol stations and using the terrain tab on the top right-hand side select traffic view.
Red lines on the map will show where heavy traffic is being reported, with green lines indicating that the roads are clear.
The app will also show you what time the station is open and sometimes display the cost of fuel there as well.
- Milica Cosic
Tax nerves
The PM will also use the gathering in Manchester to calm Tory jitters about his plans to raise taxes.
The tax burden is at the highest since the war and last month Mr Johnson set nerves jangling by announcing a 1.5 per cent hike to National Insurance.
His controversial move has opened a Cabinet rift, with Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg adamant Brits are taxed enough.
This morning Mr Johnson said he didn't want to raise any more taxes but admitted the pandemic had forced him to make tough calls.
He said: "If I can possibly avoid it, I do not want to raise taxes again, of course not, nor does Rishi Sunak."
- Milica Cosic
Perfect storm
Mr Johnson commands a comfortable 80-seat majority and is ahead in the polls but starts his first in-person Tory conference for two years feeling intense pressure on several fronts.
He has been warned Britain faces a "perfect storm" this winter as millions of Brits also risk rocketing energy bills.
Soaring gas prices have sent several providers bust and forces customers to switch to another with potentially higher tariffs.
Ministers are also feeling the heat over the imminent cut to Universal Credit payments in spite of a legion of calls to maintain the £20-a-week uplift.
The Government insists the uplift was always meant to be temporary and last week announced a £500million support package for the poorest this winter.
- Milica Cosic
Boris admits…
Families face a nightmare before Christmas as the delivery crisis could last months, Boris Johnson admitted today.
Fears that toys and turkeys could be in scarce supply have grown as the government scrambles to plug a desperate shortage of truckers.
This morning the PM said he agreed with Rishi Sunak that the chaos could stretch into the festive period.
The Chancellor has warned the shortages "are very real" and that "we're seeing real disruptions in supply chains in different sectors".
Pressed if he agreed, Mr Johnson told the BBC's Andrew Marr that Mr Sunak was "right… but it depends how you interpret what he's saying."
He was only confident that Christmas "will be considerably better" than last year – when snap Covid restrictions banned travel for millions.
Boris Johnson is at the Tory party conference in Manchester - Milica Cosic
Petrol near you?
DRIVERS are still queuing for petrol at forecourts across the country amid panic buying and shortages at the pumps.
The government has insisted the fuel crisis is under control but here is how you can help reduce and avoid the traffic jams by finding out if there is petrol near you.
Apps such as Waze and Google Maps will already show you the fastest route to a destination, including petrol stations.
Waze previously showed where petrol stations are located along a route and also provides colour coding so you can see the cheapest and most expensive places for fuel near you.
A green icon indicates the cheapest, red the most expensive and amber in the middle.
It added a new function this week where its two million users can report on the app how much traffic there is around a petrol station.
Read more here.
- Milica Cosic
Your rights if you can’t go to work because of the crisis
The ongoing petrol crisis has left many drivers unable to fill up and worried about getting to work.
Widespread panic buying coupled with a shortage of delivery drivers has led to several petrol stations running dry or limiting the amount of fuel customers can get.
And now, Boris Johnson has confirmed that the interruption could last until Christmas if not longer.
But if you can’t get into work because you’re out of petrol, what are you rights? Here we explain everything you need to know.
The good news is that you can’t be fired if you can’t get to work because of the petrol crisis.
If your employer does try to sack you because you can’t travel, you should speak to an employment lawyer to see if you have a case for unfair dismissal.
However, your employer could insist that you use public transport , although some workers might want to avoid this because of Covid concerns, particularly if they’re vulnerable.
- Milica Cosic
How you can save money on fuel
Driving more efficiently and looking after your car by keeping tyres at the correct pressure are some of the simplest things you can do to get more out of a tank of petrol.
A cold engine uses up more fuel, so it’s less efficient to go for lots of short trips when you could combine them into one journey, says the AA.
Car commuters could consider sharing lifts with colleagues. And remember to keep the air-con off unless you really need it.
Your top priority right now might be finding a forecourt that’s not been run dry, but once things are back to normal it can pay to shop around for fuel.
The website petrolprices.com allows you to do 20 free searches on petrol stations near you to see who has the best rates.
- Milica Cosic
Can you store fuel at home?
The legal limit for at-home petrol storage without a special license currently stands at 30 litres.
However, there are no specific legal demands to store diesel at home, as long as the liquid is stored in the correct container.
Brits are allowed to keep up to 10 litres in a plastic container, up to 20 litres in a metal “jerry” can, and up to 30 litres in a demountable fuel tank, according to the RAC.
If stored in a sealed container at 20 degrees, petrol has a shelf-life of around six months.
However, the shelf-life plunges to just three months of the petrol container is kept at 30 degrees.
Read more here.
- Milica Cosic
Crisis in South East still ‘absolutely horrendous’
THE fuel crisis in the South East has been blasted as "absolutely horrendous" by experts – as the Army begins driving tankers to deliver petrol.
Countless pumps are still running on empty nation-wide, with the fuel crisis a serious issue in London and the South East, according to the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).
Chairman of the the Petrol Retailers Association Brian Madderson said the Midlands, North and Scotland are "doing pretty well" for fuel.
But he stressed that London and the south are a different story, telling LBC: "Early signs from our polls this morning show again that the Midlands, North and Scotland, are doing pretty well, and more and more of their filling stations are getting stock.
"There is far less stock out and far less surge buying. Normality is creeping in to that party of the country, but London and the South East are absolutely horrendous."
Read the article in full here.
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