In view of an acute labor shortage, the British government is loosening the visa requirements for foreign truck drivers at short notice. As the government announced on Saturday, up to 10,500 temporary work visas are to be issued for truck drivers and skilled workers from other important industries such as poultry farming.
The corona pandemic and Brexit had massively exacerbated the shortage of truck drivers in Great Britain. Because it is estimated that there is a shortage of around 100,000 truck drivers in Great Britain, there had recently been bottlenecks at numerous petrol stations – many Brits made panic buying as a result.
Long queues formed again at many gas stations in the country on Saturday. “I just want to fill up to get to work. People just fill up canisters – it’s ridiculous, “said 56-year-old Mike Davey as he waited in front of a gas pump in Kent in the south of England.
Panic buying is putting UK gas stations under pressure
Panic buying over feared gasoline and diesel bottlenecks has put gas stations in the UK under severe pressure. According to the Petrol Retailers Association, more than half of its members are out of fuel.
The demand is up to 500 percent higher, said association boss Brian Madderson the broadcaster BBC Radio 4. It hits mainly petrol stations that are not on highways. “Between 50 and 90 percent of their pumps are dry, and those that are not empty are partially dry and will soon dry out.”
Because the energy companies gave preferential treatment to gas stations on highways, long lines and traffic jams formed there, Madderson said. Crowds of motorists would drive to the most important connections in order to find a gas station.
Madderson said government measures to issue work visas for up to 5,000 foreign truck drivers fell short. “We may see the benefits later in the fall when the drivers are here and start working, but in the very short term this panic buying caused really serious problems.”
Most recently, energy companies had closed dozen of gas stations because they could no longer supply them with gasoline and diesel. This led to panic buying and long lines across the country.
According to estimates by the Road Haulage Association, up to 100,000 truck drivers are missing. One reason is Brexit: Since then, stricter entry rules have been preventing the influx of skilled workers. As a result, there were, among other things, gaps in supermarket shelves.
Madderson stressed that there was enough fuel in the country. However, it is still in the terminals and refineries and therefore out of the reach of petrol stations and drivers.
Panic buying over feared gasoline and diesel bottlenecks has put gas stations in the UK under severe pressure. According to the Petrol Retailers Association, more than half of its members are out of fuel.
The demand is up to 500 percent higher, said association boss Brian Madderson the broadcaster BBC Radio 4. It hits mainly petrol stations that are not on highways. “Between 50 and 90 percent of their pumps are dry, and those that are not empty are partially dry and will soon dry out.”
Because the energy companies gave preferential treatment to gas stations on highways, long lines and traffic jams formed there, Madderson said. Crowds of motorists would drive to the most important connections in order to find a gas station.
Madderson said government measures to issue work visas to up to 5,000 foreign truck drivers fell short. “We may see the benefits later in the fall when the drivers are here and start working, but in the very short term this panic buying caused really serious problems.”
Most recently, energy companies had closed dozen of gas stations because they could no longer supply them with gasoline and diesel. This led to panic buying and long lines across the country.
According to estimates by the Road Haulage Association, up to 100,000 truck drivers are missing. One reason is Brexit: Since then, stricter entry rules have been preventing the influx of skilled workers. As a result, there were, among other things, gaps in supermarket shelves.
Madderson stressed that there was enough fuel in the country. However, it is still in the terminals and refineries and therefore out of the reach of petrol stations and drivers.
Government under pressure
The reason for the labor shortage is the stricter immigration rules since Brexit. Now there were concerns that food for Christmas dinner and toys as gifts could be scarce. Because in addition to the shortage of petrol, there are also problems with food deliveries. In many supermarkets shelves remain empty, leading supermarket chains are warning of a food shortage before Christmas. The government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson (57) therefore came under massive pressure to act.
Now 5000 truck drivers are also to receive 5500 skilled workers for poultry processing work visas in an express procedure. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (53) said the exemption should “ensure that preparations for the Christmas season stay on schedule”.
The decisive factor for the U-turn of the government, which until recently had refused visa exemptions for foreigners, evidently brought pictures of long queues at gas stations. Because of delivery problems, energy companies were unable to supply dozens of petrol stations with petrol and diesel.
Drop in a hot stone
“After a very difficult 18 months, I know how important this Christmas is for all of us, and that’s why we’re taking these steps as early as possible to ensure that the preparations stay on track,” said Transport Minister Shapps.
Business representatives reacted promptly but skeptically to the announcement. Around 10,000 skilled workers would not be enough. Supermarkets alone needed at least 15,000 truck drivers to keep stores running at full capacity before Christmas and avoid disruptions or delivery problems, said Andrew Opie of the British Retail Consortium.
The President of the British Chamber of Commerce, Ruby McGregor-Smith, also criticized that the measures were nowhere near enough. “It’s like putting out a campfire with a thimble of water,” she said.
Use of the army
The British Ministry of Transport emphasizes that the import of workers is not a sustainable solution to the problem. Rather, a package of measures should help. For example, it is planned that army driving instructors will help to deal with the enormous backlog of driving tests that has also arisen as a result of the corona pandemic. According to the British, soldiers could also be used to deliver gasoline.
In addition, around a million letters are sent to former truck drivers to convince them to return to work. The aim is to advertise with higher wages, fixed working hours and better working conditions. Free retraining is also offered. A total of 50,000 additional driving tests should be possible each year.
While business representatives admit that Brexit is one reason for the tense situation, the government rejects a connection. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation, said Minister Shapps. Before that, however, there were already problems in Great Britain. Shapps cited an aging workforce, low wages, and poor conditions at truck stops. (SDA / AFP / kes)