The One
29th March 2012, 16:15
OMG at times i wonder how sad we are as a species Some government official says something and its panick panick panick.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2012/Mar/Week4/16198694.jpg
Talks to avert a fuel strike have been delayed until Monday as the Government clarifies its advice to motorists, saying they should only refill tanks when half empty.
Acas, the conciliation service, had hoped to get union representatives and tanker firms to the table sooner.
Unite members have voted in favour of a walkout and no date has been set.
But because the union must give seven days' notice before any strike, it means any action over the whole of the Easter weekend - which had been feared - is now less likely.
Amid criticism of the Government's handling of the situation and queues at some forecourts, Ed Davey, the Government been slammed by Labour for giving mixed messages to motorists.
The Energy Secretary has advised the public to top up petrol tanks to ensure they are two-thirds full.
He said: "I don't think they (drivers) need to queue, I don't think they need to change their behaviour very much."
Only a day earlier, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude had advised motorists to fill a jerrycan - which can take 20 litres - and keep it at home as a precaution.
His suggestion was strongly criticised by petrol retailers and firefighters and was later described by transport minister Mike Penning as a "mistake".
Halfords said sales of jerrycans were up 467% on last year.
Labour leader Ed Miliband accused the Prime Minister of "presiding over a shambles on petrol" and suggested the Government has increased the risk of panic buying.
He called on David Cameron and Mr Maude to apologise to the country for their handling of the situation.
"They made a crude decision to play politics with petrol without regard for the consequence," he added.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents independent petrol stations, said sales of unleaded were up 81% yesterday compared with a usual Wednesday Diesel sales were up 38%.
Asda and Tesco said they had seen increased sales but insisted there was no need for consumers to change their normal shopping routine as no strike date has been set.
The AA said the number of extra customers buying petrol on Tuesday could have earned the Treasury £32m in fuel excise duty.
Around the country, some forecourts have reported shortages, others have run dry and queues have formed in some areas.
Dorset Police earlier called on some petrol stations to close temporarily to avoid queues blocking traffic.
There is no disruption to the fuel supply in the UK and members of the public should not panic buy," chief inspector Nick Maton said.
Hampshire police also said that "spurious rumours" online about shortages were fuelling panic buying.
Brian Madderson, who represents independent petrol retailers at the RMI, said: "What we had not expected was the Cabinet Office, responsible for crisis management, to say on Sunday, 'We're going to bring the Army in,' and on Monday to say, 'We're going to stockpile, that's what you should do'."
A better approach would have been to quietly discuss building up supplies directly with retailers without alarming the public, Mr Madderson said.
Petrol stations reporting low stocks can be partly attributed to escalating oil prices and high taxes as many forecourts cannot afford to buy very much petrol in advance, he added.
At the Cliviger service station in Burnley, Lancashire, owner John Sharp has had to receive emergency supplies of fuel.
"I blame the Government for causing the panic," he said.
"They talked about filling jerrycans and potential fuel shortages and all it made people do was come out and panic buy."
http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16198659
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content/StaticFile/jpg/2012/Mar/Week4/16198694.jpg
Talks to avert a fuel strike have been delayed until Monday as the Government clarifies its advice to motorists, saying they should only refill tanks when half empty.
Acas, the conciliation service, had hoped to get union representatives and tanker firms to the table sooner.
Unite members have voted in favour of a walkout and no date has been set.
But because the union must give seven days' notice before any strike, it means any action over the whole of the Easter weekend - which had been feared - is now less likely.
Amid criticism of the Government's handling of the situation and queues at some forecourts, Ed Davey, the Government been slammed by Labour for giving mixed messages to motorists.
The Energy Secretary has advised the public to top up petrol tanks to ensure they are two-thirds full.
He said: "I don't think they (drivers) need to queue, I don't think they need to change their behaviour very much."
Only a day earlier, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude had advised motorists to fill a jerrycan - which can take 20 litres - and keep it at home as a precaution.
His suggestion was strongly criticised by petrol retailers and firefighters and was later described by transport minister Mike Penning as a "mistake".
Halfords said sales of jerrycans were up 467% on last year.
Labour leader Ed Miliband accused the Prime Minister of "presiding over a shambles on petrol" and suggested the Government has increased the risk of panic buying.
He called on David Cameron and Mr Maude to apologise to the country for their handling of the situation.
"They made a crude decision to play politics with petrol without regard for the consequence," he added.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation, which represents independent petrol stations, said sales of unleaded were up 81% yesterday compared with a usual Wednesday Diesel sales were up 38%.
Asda and Tesco said they had seen increased sales but insisted there was no need for consumers to change their normal shopping routine as no strike date has been set.
The AA said the number of extra customers buying petrol on Tuesday could have earned the Treasury £32m in fuel excise duty.
Around the country, some forecourts have reported shortages, others have run dry and queues have formed in some areas.
Dorset Police earlier called on some petrol stations to close temporarily to avoid queues blocking traffic.
There is no disruption to the fuel supply in the UK and members of the public should not panic buy," chief inspector Nick Maton said.
Hampshire police also said that "spurious rumours" online about shortages were fuelling panic buying.
Brian Madderson, who represents independent petrol retailers at the RMI, said: "What we had not expected was the Cabinet Office, responsible for crisis management, to say on Sunday, 'We're going to bring the Army in,' and on Monday to say, 'We're going to stockpile, that's what you should do'."
A better approach would have been to quietly discuss building up supplies directly with retailers without alarming the public, Mr Madderson said.
Petrol stations reporting low stocks can be partly attributed to escalating oil prices and high taxes as many forecourts cannot afford to buy very much petrol in advance, he added.
At the Cliviger service station in Burnley, Lancashire, owner John Sharp has had to receive emergency supplies of fuel.
"I blame the Government for causing the panic," he said.
"They talked about filling jerrycans and potential fuel shortages and all it made people do was come out and panic buy."
http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16198659