Petrol shortages: No10 says ‘hard to put specific date’ on return to normal as army delivers fuel

And staying on this topic, Boris Johnson spoke about supply chain issues at a Network Rail site in Manchester this morning.

“That’s really a function of the world economy, particularly the UK economy, coming back to life after Covid, sucking in gas in particular - there is a massive demand for that in Asia,” he said.

“There is a shortage of lorry drivers actually around the world, from Poland to the US, and even in China they are short of lorry drivers.”

PA

As the army tanker deliveries got underway this morning, long queues remained at some petrol stations.

Here are images from petrol stations in Kent and Hertfordshire, where cars line up down roads as drivers wait to fill up:

As Operation Escalin got underway this morning, a government spokesperson said there were “signs of improvement in average forecourt stocks” across the UK.

“Stocks in London and the South of England have been recovering at slightly slower rates than other parts of the UK, so we have begun deploying military personnel to boost supply in these areas,” they said.

“More than half of those who have completed training to make fuel deliveries are being deployed to terminals serving London and the South East of England, demonstrating that the sector is allocating drivers to areas most affected in this first phase from Monday.”

Additional reporting by PA

Army tanker drivers are taking to the roads for the first time to deliver supplies to beleaguered petrol stations hit by the fuel crisis in a move dubbed Operation Escalin.

Around 200 military personnel - half of them drivers - are being deployed, despite ministers insisting the situation at the pumps is easing.

The troops - who have been on standby since the start of last week - will initially be concentrated in London and the South East, where the worst shortages remain.

They include members of 3rd Logistic Support Regiment who have been training with the petroleum industry logistics company Hoyers in Thurrock in Essex.

Read more about the operation here:

PA

Speaking about fuel shortages, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said there had been a “continual improving picture with fuel stocks increasing and more fuel being delivered than is being used” over the weekend.

“That’s been a sustained picture for a number of days now, and as we’ve seen demand return back towards normal levels,” they said.

“Fully appreciate there are still some challenges, particularly in and around London and the south east, and how frustrating that must be, and that’s why we’re doing everything possible including using Armed Forces personnel to bolster getting in more supply.”

Additional reporting by PA

On when fuel supplies would return to normal, Boris Johnson’s official spokesperson said: “It’s hard to put a specific date on that, as it’s largely driven by demand.

“We have seen demand return to ... starting to return to normal levels, obviously it varies over the country.”

They added: “We continue to want to reassure the public that we have significant stocks of fuel around the country.”

Additional reporting by PA

People have joked about the petrol shortages after Rishi Sunak said he wants to make the UK “the most exciting place on the planet”.

See the reaction to this tweet here:

Images have showed closed petrol stations and long queues, amid assurances from government the situation across the country is improving.

Here are a few:

Fuel shortages have gripped the UK over the past couple of weeks. But what is behind the crisis?

Joe Sommerlad takes a look:

The UK’s Brexit minister has said the “British Renaissance has begun” at the Tory party conference, as the nation grapples with petrol and food shortages.

Sam Blewett has more on Lord Frost’s speech: