Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said the Government’s reserve tanker fleet will be “on the road” to boost deliveries to petrol station forecourts this afternoon.
He tweeted: “I can confirm the Government’s reserve tanker fleet will be on the road this afternoon to boost deliveries of fuel to forecourts across Britain.
“The trucks are driven by civilians and will provide additional logistical capacity to the fuel industry.
“We are now seeing signs that the situation at the pumps has begun to improve with more stations getting more fuel.
“The sooner we can all return to our normal buying habits, the sooner the situation will return to normal.”
The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents two-thirds of UK filling stations, said the fuel crisis is “easing”.
Executive director Gordon Balmer said: “There are encouraging signs that the crisis at the pumps is easing, with forecourts reporting that they are taking further deliveries of fuel.
“Only 27% of PRA members have reported being out of fuel today, and with regular restocks taking place, we are expecting to see the easing to continue over the next 24 hours.
“However, we are extremely disappointed to hear many forecourt staff are experiencing a high level of both verbal and physical abuse, which is completely unacceptable.
“Forecourts are trying their best to manage queues and ensure there is plenty of fuel to go around.
“We would urge the public to remember that fuel stocks remain normal at refineries and terminals, and deliveries have been reduced solely due to the shortage of HGV drivers.”
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