Shropshire petrol stations run dry as motorists panic buy
A number of Shropshire petrol stations ran out of fuel yesterday as motorists filled their tanks after ministers called for people to top up in case of a tanker drivers' strike.
The scenes were reminiscent of those seen 12 years ago when people panic-bought ahead of a national strike over fuel duty.
The government has come under fire for starting the panic buying, after Francis Maude suggested that motorists keep their tanks topped up and fill up jerry cans in case talks over a possible tanker driver’ strike failed.
As queues snaked out of petrol stations across Shropshire and the rest of the country, the AA calculated that the panic buying, which increased fuel sales by 81%, will hand the treasury £32m extra in excise duty.
Labour leader Ed Miliband accused the Prime Minister of "presiding over a shambles on petrol" and suggested the Government had increased the risk of panic buying.
He called on David Cameron and Mr Maude to apologise.
Talks to avert a fuel strike have been delayed until Monday. Union representatives and tanker firms had previously been expected to get to the table by the end of this week.
Because Unions must give seven days' notice before any strike date is set, the delay means any action over the whole of the Easter weekend now appears less likely.
Unite members who supply fuel to 90% of the UK’s petrol station forecourts are threatening to strike over pay and health and safety conditions.
