This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-17533151

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Petrol strike threat: Government advises 'topping up' Petrol strike threat: Government advises 'topping up'
(40 minutes later)
  
The government has again advised "sensible precautions" in case a strike by fuel tanker drivers goes ahead.The government has again advised "sensible precautions" in case a strike by fuel tanker drivers goes ahead.
After a meeting of the civil contingencies committee Cobra, Downing Street said there was no fuel shortage and advised drivers to top up tanks.After a meeting of the civil contingencies committee Cobra, Downing Street said there was no fuel shortage and advised drivers to top up tanks.
The Fire Brigades Union has asked Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude to withdraw his advice for people to store petrol in a jerrycan in garages.The Fire Brigades Union has asked Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude to withdraw his advice for people to store petrol in a jerrycan in garages.
Unite union drivers, who supply 90% of UK forecourts, have voted to strike.Unite union drivers, who supply 90% of UK forecourts, have voted to strike.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "There is no shortage of fuel at present and forecourts are being replenished."A Downing Street spokesman said: "There is no shortage of fuel at present and forecourts are being replenished."
He reiterated Prime Minister David Cameron's earlier message that any strike would be "unjustified" and said talks needed to continue to avert industrial action.He reiterated Prime Minister David Cameron's earlier message that any strike would be "unjustified" and said talks needed to continue to avert industrial action.
"The government has learnt lessons from the past and stands ready to act to manage the impact of any strike, in particular, to our emergency and essential services," the spokesman said."The government has learnt lessons from the past and stands ready to act to manage the impact of any strike, in particular, to our emergency and essential services," the spokesman said.
The committee discussed how to maintain fuel supplies, which included increasing the potential number of military drivers.The committee discussed how to maintain fuel supplies, which included increasing the potential number of military drivers.
The spokesman added: "Ministers also agreed that motorists should continue to take sensible precautions to prepare for the impacts of a possible strike." The spokesman added: "There is no need to queue for petrol, but in the normal course of business, motorists should consider keeping their tanks topped up. But there is no shortage of fuel at present and forecourts are being replenished."
"There is no need to queue for petrol, but in the normal course of business, motorists should consider keeping their tanks topped up. But there is no shortage of fuel at present and forecourts are being replenished," he said.
Conciliation service Acas had said it would contact the five oil firms affected and Unite to agree a timetable for talks.Conciliation service Acas had said it would contact the five oil firms affected and Unite to agree a timetable for talks.
Unite has said it "welcomed the prospect of meaningful talks" but was waiting for a formal invitation.Unite has said it "welcomed the prospect of meaningful talks" but was waiting for a formal invitation.
There are some reports of shortages of fuel at petrol stations, with Esso saying it had seen increased demand in some areas while Shell reported it was "business as normal".There are some reports of shortages of fuel at petrol stations, with Esso saying it had seen increased demand in some areas while Shell reported it was "business as normal".
In a statement Esso said: "Some sites may temporarily be out of one or two types of fuel."In a statement Esso said: "Some sites may temporarily be out of one or two types of fuel."
Mr Cameron had earlier advised people to take any "opportunity to top up".Mr Cameron had earlier advised people to take any "opportunity to top up".
"There is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days' notice of any strike so there is no need to queue to buy petrol," he said."There is no imminent strike. The unions would have to give seven days' notice of any strike so there is no need to queue to buy petrol," he said.
You could call it the Corporal Jones challenge. Is the government taking the prospect of fuel shortages seriously - and keen to give the impression it is? You bet.
How does the government say "don't panic" about potential fuel shortages, without leading people to panic? The headcount at today's Cobra civil contingencies committee told its own story.
It's very tricky. We've had an insight into the balancing act it involves. The roll call of cabinet ministers totalled five, including the prime minister.
The newspapers reported the prime minister would chair a Cobra meeting on the fuel dispute. Cobra is often described as the government's national emergencies committee. Add to that seven junior ministers, including Transport Minister Mike Penning.
A Downing Street source certainly didn't steer us away from suggesting as much too. But that word "emergency" is a strong one. But the tone from ministers has changed. This morning, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude told us "lives would be at risk" if fuel tanker drivers go on strike.
By mid-morning, Downing Street was saying that, whilst the meeting would happen in Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the place that gives its initials to the word Cobra, it wouldn't be a Cobra meeting. He also suggested it would be useful if people had a "little bit" of fuel "in their garage in a jerrycan".
Then David Cameron told reporters that, in fact, it would be a Cobra meeting. But we shouldn't panic. Energy Secretary Ed Davey's approach, after the Cobra meeting, was much more measured and businesslike.
The government, he said, was ensuring there was "resilience in the system".
The public should make "sensible plans" and keep petrol tanks topped up. No mention of lives being at risk. No mention of jerrycans.
So, in a sentence, what is the message the government is trying to articulate?
"Don't panic, we're doing all we can."
Now they have to hope saying "don't panic" will ensure just that, and not the opposite.
Mr Maude had advised: "The greater extent to which people have fuel in their vehicles - maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan - the longer we can keep things going."Mr Maude had advised: "The greater extent to which people have fuel in their vehicles - maybe a little bit in the garage as well in a jerrycan - the longer we can keep things going."
But Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack criticised the advice, saying: "There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the government is encouraging panic-buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn."But Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack criticised the advice, saying: "There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the government is encouraging panic-buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn."
Mr Maude told the BBC: "There are legal limits on what you can store and I'm sure the fire service will communicate those.Mr Maude told the BBC: "There are legal limits on what you can store and I'm sure the fire service will communicate those.
"What people have in mind, there are sensible low-key things that can be done and if they choose to do it - it's up to them.""What people have in mind, there are sensible low-key things that can be done and if they choose to do it - it's up to them."
The London Fire Brigade said if people were going to store petrol they should use appropriate equipment and keep no more than 30 litres (just under seven gallons) of fuel.The London Fire Brigade said if people were going to store petrol they should use appropriate equipment and keep no more than 30 litres (just under seven gallons) of fuel.
Brian Madderson, from the Retail Motor Industry Federation, said the government and public had to keep "a cool head".Brian Madderson, from the Retail Motor Industry Federation, said the government and public had to keep "a cool head".
He said: "This government appears intent on creating a crisis out of a serious concern."He said: "This government appears intent on creating a crisis out of a serious concern."
"Yesterday we polled a good proportion of our members right across the UK and petrol was 45% up compared to a normal Tuesday and diesel was 20% up.""Yesterday we polled a good proportion of our members right across the UK and petrol was 45% up compared to a normal Tuesday and diesel was 20% up."
The government also has plans to train military personnel with an eight-day course.The government also has plans to train military personnel with an eight-day course.
More than 80 "highly qualified" drivers from the Royal Air Force will begin initial training by one oil haulage firm on Wednesday.More than 80 "highly qualified" drivers from the Royal Air Force will begin initial training by one oil haulage firm on Wednesday.
After the Cobra meeting Energy Secretary Ed Davey said there was no need for panic: "We are planning to make sure we've got more storage, we've got more tanker drivers and I think the public should also make sensible plans."After the Cobra meeting Energy Secretary Ed Davey said there was no need for panic: "We are planning to make sure we've got more storage, we've got more tanker drivers and I think the public should also make sensible plans."
Labour treasury spokesman Chris Leslie told the BBC: "I heard Francis Maude was telling people to start filling jerrycans, panicking people all around the country, which is an incredibly irresponsible action to take.Labour treasury spokesman Chris Leslie told the BBC: "I heard Francis Maude was telling people to start filling jerrycans, panicking people all around the country, which is an incredibly irresponsible action to take.
"What they should do is get a date for Acas where they can all get around the table, sort out these difficulties and avoid the strike. That has got to be the priority." "What they should do is get a date for Acas where they can all get around the table, sort out these difficulties and avoid the strike."
Labour leader Ed Miliband said "it was in the interests" of the public for all sides to meet and negotiate.Labour leader Ed Miliband said "it was in the interests" of the public for all sides to meet and negotiate.
Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, told the BBC he did not know if there was any real difference "between what people call panic-buying and prudent precautions".Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, told the BBC he did not know if there was any real difference "between what people call panic-buying and prudent precautions".
The AA's Edmund King said there was enough fuel for everyone but the situation would get worse if people panicked.The AA's Edmund King said there was enough fuel for everyone but the situation would get worse if people panicked.
People have contacted the BBC to report shortages at some stations near to them.People have contacted the BBC to report shortages at some stations near to them.
Simon Lane, from Leicester, said his local garage in Groby ran out of diesel and unleaded petrol after "panic buying" involving "huge queues".Simon Lane, from Leicester, said his local garage in Groby ran out of diesel and unleaded petrol after "panic buying" involving "huge queues".
Jim Wardle, from Chesterfield, said he saw a man fill up his Range Rover then buy the last six petrol cans and fill them while complaining about people voting to strike.Jim Wardle, from Chesterfield, said he saw a man fill up his Range Rover then buy the last six petrol cans and fill them while complaining about people voting to strike.
Unite, the UK's biggest union, had earlier said it wanted minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.Unite, the UK's biggest union, had earlier said it wanted minimum standards covering pay, hours, holiday and redundancy.
Workers involved in the dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have already voted to walk out.Workers involved in the dispute over terms, conditions and safety standards have already voted to walk out.
On Wednesday Unite's assistant general secretary Diana Holland added: "We trust that the employers, and the supply chain, including oil majors, will engage with us and that the government will do everything in their power to help us avoid industrial action."
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.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.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.Read the terms and conditions.