The problem with petrol shortages at filling stations is consumer confidence and that will only return once stations have got fuel for consumers, ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers explains
Sir Keir Starmer has called on Boris Johnson to take emergency action to resolve the lorry driver shortage he said was threatening to ruin Christmas.
The Labour Party leader said a scheme to issue 5,000 temporary visas to foreign lorry drivers would not be up and running “for weeks”.
He said the prime minister should if necessary recall Parliament to rush through legislation to ensure shelves and petrol stations are stocked.
He warned the government needed to “get on with it” to prevent problems developing in other sectors.
“I don’t want people in this country to have another Christmas ruined by this Prime Minister’s lack of planning,” he said.
“Every day wasted is prolonging this crisis. The government has been talking about issuing visas but still hasn’t done anything.
“The Prime Minister should be taking emergency action today but yet again he’s failed to grasp the seriousness of the crisis.
“If it needs legislation, then let’s recall Parliament to get these emergency measures through urgently. The Prime Minister needs to get a grip.”
Parliament is currently suspended for party conference season.
Sir Keir’s call for a Parliament recall comes just as the Conservatives are holding their annual gathering and is likely to be dismissed by ministers as a political manoeuvre.
Earlier, policing minister Kit Malthouse warned it could be a “week or so” before petrol station stocks return to normal.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) – representing independent filling stations – warned the queues would continue until supplies increase.
Executive director Gordon Balmer said…