The British truck driver shortage continues. British media reported that the authorities will start dispatching troops this week to distribute fuel to various places. According to the British Ministry of Defense, about 150 military drivers are ready.
The shortage of truck drivers in the UK has consequently affected the supply of fuel. There have been continuous traffic at petrol stations in various regions for the past few days, and the people have been waiting to fill up their fuel tanks. Faced with a lack of gas at petrol stations, many voices have begun to call on the public to give priority to people in the frontline medical care and other necessary fields to refuel, so as not to affect the operation of the health care system. Companies such as BP, Shell and Esso expect that fuel supply will return to normal in the next few days. Prime Minister Johnson also said that the situation is improving and reminded the public not to panic buying.
Johnson said: “What we want to do is to ensure that we are fully prepared to spend Christmas and beyond. This is not only the supply at the petrol station but all of our supply chain.”
Although the British government intends to issue 5,000 temporary visas to foreign truck drivers to solve the shortage of manpower, foreign drivers seem not to buy it.
The Polish driver said that the money he earned in the UK was far less than the troubles and dangers he encountered. There are also drivers who say that Britain often looks down on employees from Eastern Europe and therefore refuses to accept British offers.
The British Gasoline Retailers Association said that although nearly 40% of petrol stations are still short of gas, there are signs that the crisis is easing. British retailers, truck drivers and logistics companies warned that if the driver shortage is not resolved, the price of energy and Christmas gifts will rise.
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