Calls To Prioritise Key Workers In UK Fuel Crisis
Muhammad Irfan Published September 28, 2021 | 02:26 PM
The UK government on Tuesday faced calls for nurses, police and other key workers to be given priority at petrol pumps, as the army was put on standby to ease a fuel supply crisis
London, Sept 28 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2021 ) :The UK government on Tuesday faced calls for nurses, police and other key workers to be given priority at petrol pumps, as the army was put on standby to ease a fuel supply crisis.
Filling stations across the country have seen long, snaking queues of frustrated motorists concerned that a shortage of tanker drivers could lead to pumps running dry.
But four days of panic-buying, even as the government insisted there was no shortage of fuel stocks, has left some frontline public sector workers unable to get to work.
The deputy chair of the British Medical Association, David Wrigley, called for "urgent action from the government today" to give healthcare workers priority access to fuel.
"We can't be waiting in queues for two or three hours for petrol or diesel when we have patients to see," he told Times Radio, as unions called for emergency powers to be used.
Patricia Marquis, director for England at the Royal College of Nursing, said the National Health service "cannot afford to lose any more staff because they're unable to travel".
"We already know some nursing staff are warning their employers they may not be able to attend tomorrow," she added.
The government maintains that a lack of tanker drivers to deliver fuel and unprecedented demand is behind the crisis, and the situation was likely to ease in the coming days.
Despite repeated denials throughout the day, Prime Minister Boris Johnson late Monday announced that troops had been put on alert to step in if required.
Even The Sun newspaper, normally supportive of Johnson, said the mixed messaging was undermining public confidence, and accused the government of being "asleep at the wheel".
"Is anyone actually in charge in Downing Street?" it asked in an editorial.
"Get a grip on it, PM. Public patience is close to breaking point." As well as tanker drivers, the UK also has a shortage of truck drivers, with the resulting empty supermarket shelves and delivery delays stoking fears of Christmas shortages.
The government insists Europe is facing the same problem and has eased its post-Brexit immigration rules in the hope of enticing foreign truckers back.
But critics say the country's departure from the EU that took full effect in January, combined with the pandemic, is to blame, as thousands of overseas drivers returned home.
The main opposition Labour party's home affairs spokesman, Nick Thomas-Symonds, accused the government of "utter incompetence" and blamed it on its "handling of Brexit".
"The blame lies squarely with them, it lies with no-one else," he added.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
More Stories From Business
-
NPO launches program for development of gemstone sector
14 minutes ago -
PFC to take part in Riyadh Intel. expo
54 minutes ago -
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
6 hours ago -
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
7 hours ago -
CRD survey unveils 18% Pakistanis quit smoking
18 hours ago -
NTUF granted patent for Innovative Multilayered Natural Fiber Composite Helmet
18 hours ago
-
New industrial policy to be announced soon: Rana Tanveer
18 hours ago -
Commissioner orders implementation price control mechanism in toto
18 hours ago -
Jam Kamal holds meeting to tackle border area challenges
22 hours ago -
Speakers in TIIF for improving, corporate governance system in Uzbekistan
21 hours ago -
Pak-Uzbek business community welcomes KSA’s $20 billion investment in Uzbekistan
23 hours ago -
BF leader calls retaining policy rate highest level ‘unfair
21 hours ago