With the ongoing fuel shortage crisis still affecting many parts of the UK, the government announced military drivers will be deployed to parts of the country.
Despite ministers insisting the situation is "stabilising" fuel will still be delivered to forecourts by almost 200 military personnel who have been training at haulier sites as a "precaution".
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has warned that fuel shortages are getting worse in some parts of the country.
Read more:
Brian Madderson said it remains a “really big problem” in London and the South East.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “In London and the South East and possibly parts of eastern England, if anything it had got worse.”
Mr Madderson welcomed the announcement that military drivers are to be deployed from Monday.
However, he warned it will only have a limited impact on easing the shortage.
“This isn’t going to be the major panacea,” he said. “It’s a large help but in terms of the volume, they are not going to be able to carry that much.
“We do need a prioritisation of deliveries to filling stations – particularly the independent ones which are the neighbourhood retail sites – in London and the South East starting immediately.”
He said rising world oil prices mean motorists should expect higher prices at the pumps when filling stations are resupplied.
“Expect anything from 1, 2 or even 3p a litre increases at the pump. This is not profiteering. This is genuine wholesale price increases caused by global factors.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the fuel situation is “stabilising” in most parts of the country and the military is being deployed as a “precaution”.
He told Sky News: “I think it is right that as a precaution that the Government has asked the military to help.
“I think that is the right measure to take to make sure that people have all the confidence that they need.
“I think that will further stabilise the situation and give more confidence.”
