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Petrol strike threat: No 10 denies causing 'panic' Petrol strike threat: No 10 denies causing 'panic'
(40 minutes later)
Downing Street has dismissed claims it caused "panic" over the threatened fuel strike by urging motorists to make "contingency plans" such as filling up.Downing Street has dismissed claims it caused "panic" over the threatened fuel strike by urging motorists to make "contingency plans" such as filling up.
Labour described the comments as the "height of irresponsibility" for giving the impression people should panic buy.Labour described the comments as the "height of irresponsibility" for giving the impression people should panic buy.
But No 10 said it had alerted drivers to the possibility of disruption in "a calm-headed and sensible way".But No 10 said it had alerted drivers to the possibility of disruption in "a calm-headed and sensible way".
The civil contingencies committee Cobra will meet later to discuss plans in the event of a strike by tanker drivers.The civil contingencies committee Cobra will meet later to discuss plans in the event of a strike by tanker drivers.
At the meeting, PM David Cameron will be briefed on measures to minimise the possible impact of any strike, including using military drivers, the possibility of recruiting foreign tanker drivers and setting up fuel stockpiles. RAF training
A No 10 source told the BBC that it first began warning about the danger of a strike five days ago and has tried to alert drivers "in a gentle way".
More motorists have been filling up their cars, but there has not yet been "rushing out" to stock up, the source added.
Cobra is often described as the government's national emergencies committee. The name stands for "Cabinet Office briefing room A", and usually it meets at No 10.Cobra is often described as the government's national emergencies committee. The name stands for "Cabinet Office briefing room A", and usually it meets at No 10.
The prime minister can reconvene Cobra at any time he feels the country is on the verge of an emergency.The prime minister can reconvene Cobra at any time he feels the country is on the verge of an emergency.
The politics surrounding this dispute are spiky. The trade union Unite, whose members have voted to go on strike, is the biggest donor to the Labour Party.The politics surrounding this dispute are spiky. The trade union Unite, whose members have voted to go on strike, is the biggest donor to the Labour Party.
The Labour leader Ed Miliband has tried to distance himself from the union's leadership and said a strike should be avoided "at all costs".The Labour leader Ed Miliband has tried to distance himself from the union's leadership and said a strike should be avoided "at all costs".
From the government's perspective, it is all about conveying an impression of being in charge. This row is between haulage drivers and oil companies.From the government's perspective, it is all about conveying an impression of being in charge. This row is between haulage drivers and oil companies.
But ultimately, if you can't fill your car up, it rather dents a government's credibility. Ministers say they will "learn the lessons" of the fuel dispute in 2000.But ultimately, if you can't fill your car up, it rather dents a government's credibility. Ministers say they will "learn the lessons" of the fuel dispute in 2000.
A No 10 source told the BBC that it first began warning about the danger of a strike five days ago and has tried to warn drivers "in a gentle way". Mike Grannatt, the former head of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, said: "The government will be very anxious to make sure people are encouraged to keep their tanks reasonably full but not to spend their time queuing up for the last two pints of petrol."
More motorists have been filling up their cars, but there has not yet been "rushing out" to stock up, the source added. At the Cobra meeting, PM David Cameron will be briefed on measures to minimise the possible impact of any strike, including using military drivers, the possibility of recruiting foreign tanker drivers and setting up fuel stockpiles.
Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey have warned that any strike could damage economic recovery. They are also likely to discuss the impact a strike would have on the emergency services, other vital services and supermarket deliveries.
There are plans to put military personnel through an eight-day training course to enable them to take the place of striking drivers behind the wheel of commercial tankers.
The BBC has learned that more than 80 "highly qualified" drivers from the Royal Air Force will begin initial training by one oil haulage firm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey have warned that any strike could damage economic recovery.
And Labour leader Ed Miliband has said a strike should be avoided "at all costs", whilst urging trade unions and company chiefs to negotiate.And Labour leader Ed Miliband has said a strike should be avoided "at all costs", whilst urging trade unions and company chiefs to negotiate.
Conciliation service Acas has invited trade unions and oil firms to talks to try to resolve their differences. Conciliation service Acas said it would contact the five oil firms affected and the Unite union to agree a timetable for talks aimed at resolving their differences.
Workers at five of seven companies involved in a dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have voted to walk out. Workers involved in the dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have already voted to walk out.
Unite, the UK's biggest union, wants minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy. Unite, the UK's biggest union, is meeting on Wednesday to consider its next steps. It has already said it wants minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.
It represents about 2,000 drivers who deliver fuel to Shell and Esso garages, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's, covering 90% of the UK's forecourts. The union represents about 2,000 drivers who deliver fuel to Shell and Esso garages, as well as supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's, covering 90% of the UK's forecourts.
The prospect of industrial action has raised the threat of fuel shortages over the Easter weekend.The prospect of industrial action has raised the threat of fuel shortages over the Easter weekend.
Are you putting any contingency plans in place for the fuel strike? Are you affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.Are you putting any contingency plans in place for the fuel strike? Are you affected? Please fill in the form below if you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC.
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