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| Fuel panic: petrol prices rise as demand rockets - live coverage | Fuel panic: petrol prices rise as demand rockets - live coverage |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 1.47pm: Diane Hill, the woman injured in the petrol accident in York, is in a critical but stable condition in hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said. | |
| 1.31pm: Here's the latest from Sky on Diane Hill, the woman burnt in York after decanting petrol in her kitchen. And here's a comment from Gerard Tubb, the Sky reporter. | |
| Ms Hill was tipping petrol from a plastic petrol container for which she did not have a spout into the jug because her daughter, in her late teens or early twenties, needed petrol for her car. The vapour from the petrol in the open-topped jug was ignited by the gas cooker which was on ... | |
| The question is, why did her daughter need petrol for her car so desperately that she was transferring it in an open jug? York was one of the first places to be affected by panic-buying, with some petrol stations running out late on Tuesday, and some of the big petrol stations had no fuel yesterday. | |
| 1.10pm: Here's a lunchtime summary. | |
| • A woman from York has suffered 40% burns after decanting petrol from one container to another in her kitchen. She was supplying petrol to her daughter, who had run out. She has been named as Diane Hill. (See 10.20am.) | |
| • Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, has suggested that Francis Maude's decision to encourage people to stockpile petrol may have had something to do with Hill's accident. "It was a political invention, the panic of the last couple of days, and the nation and some people are paying a very, very heavy price for that." Labour HQ is not explicitly blaming Maude, although one Labour peer has said that Maude should resign because of the incident. (See 11.24am and 12.22pm.) | |
| • The Unite union has said that the tanker drivers will not strike over Easter. Instead, the union will focus on trying to reach an agreement with the haulage companies at the talks convened by Acas, the conciliation service. An Acas spokesperson said: "We are pleased that Unite have confirmed they are ready to start substantive talks as soon as possible. We are meeting all of the employers involved in the dispute on Monday to complete our exploratory talks with them. We hope that more formal talks involving both Unite and the employers will start as soon as possible after Monday." (See 10.55am.) • Ed Davey, the energy secretary, has had a meeting with the haulage companies to discuss contingency plans for a strike. This is what the Department for Energy said about the meeting afterwards. | |
Ed Davey chaired a meeting with the haulage industry, the defence and transport secretaries. It was a productive meeting.The seven haulage companies that are involved in the industrial dispute with Unite attended. | |
| Discussions focused on contingency planning, covering training more military drivers in the event that a strike is called. There is no strike at the moment, and we are calling for a swift resolution to this industrial dispute. Both parties have agreed to meet with Acas for talks next Monday. Unite would be required to give seven days notice of any strike action, and Unite has confirmed that there will be no strike action prior to Easter. | |
| 12.48pm: The Retail Motor Industry has said that the government must now "take full control" of the fuel crisis. It has released figures showing that sales of unleaded petrol on Thursday were up 172% on the previous week. "Government created this fuel crisis and now must take full control," said Brian Madderson, the RMI's petrol chairman, in a news release. | |
| 12.46pm: Sky says the woman burned in the accident in York has been named locally as Diane Hill. | 12.46pm: Sky says the woman burned in the accident in York has been named locally as Diane Hill. |
| 12.22pm: Ed Balls (pictured), the shadow chancellor, has accused the government of deliberately creating a fuel panic to divert attention from the cash-for-access scandal. David Cameron was playing "schoolboy political games", Balls told BBC Radio Leeds. | 12.22pm: Ed Balls (pictured), the shadow chancellor, has accused the government of deliberately creating a fuel panic to divert attention from the cash-for-access scandal. David Cameron was playing "schoolboy political games", Balls told BBC Radio Leeds. |
I do think that political games were played. I think the prime minister woke up on Monday morning and thought 'I've got the worst weekend I've had in government', because of the Tory donation scandal after a budget which had been judged by the country to be deeply unfair, and he thought 'Why don't I try to divert attention?' | I do think that political games were played. I think the prime minister woke up on Monday morning and thought 'I've got the worst weekend I've had in government', because of the Tory donation scandal after a budget which had been judged by the country to be deeply unfair, and he thought 'Why don't I try to divert attention?' |
| So suddenly, out of the blue, we had government ministers talking up a strike which wasn't even called - there's no date for this strike. When he should have been responsible, he decided to wind this up, he sent out his cabinet minister to say 'Fill up your jerrycans' and we've ended up with these queues, even though there's normal petrol deliveries, there's no strike, there has to be seven days' notice even if there was a strike. | So suddenly, out of the blue, we had government ministers talking up a strike which wasn't even called - there's no date for this strike. When he should have been responsible, he decided to wind this up, he sent out his cabinet minister to say 'Fill up your jerrycans' and we've ended up with these queues, even though there's normal petrol deliveries, there's no strike, there has to be seven days' notice even if there was a strike. |
| It was a political invention, the panic of the last couple of days, and the nation and some people are paying a very, very heavy price for that. I think it's backfired because I think people have generally seen that these are schoolboy political games being played by people who should be doing responsible jobs. | It was a political invention, the panic of the last couple of days, and the nation and some people are paying a very, very heavy price for that. I think it's backfired because I think people have generally seen that these are schoolboy political games being played by people who should be doing responsible jobs. |
I did not hear the interview (I've taken the quotes from the Press Association), but the reference to people paying "a very, very heavy price" sounds as if Balls is linking the fuel panic to the accident in York. | I did not hear the interview (I've taken the quotes from the Press Association), but the reference to people paying "a very, very heavy price" sounds as if Balls is linking the fuel panic to the accident in York. |
| 12.18pm: Tory HQ thinks we should not get too excited about the Unite announcement about not striking over Easter. (See 10.55am.) | 12.18pm: Tory HQ thinks we should not get too excited about the Unite announcement about not striking over Easter. (See 10.55am.) |
| Yesterday Unite accepted arbitration. It meant they'd be unable to strike 'til after Easter. "Won't strike 'til after Easter" is a #NonStory | Yesterday Unite accepted arbitration. It meant they'd be unable to strike 'til after Easter. "Won't strike 'til after Easter" is a #NonStory |
| — CCHQ Press Office (@RicHolden) March 30, 2012 | — CCHQ Press Office (@RicHolden) March 30, 2012 |
| 12.15pm: The BBC have got more on the accident in York involving the woman who was burnt decanting petrol in her kitchen. Here's an extract from their story. | 12.15pm: The BBC have got more on the accident in York involving the woman who was burnt decanting petrol in her kitchen. Here's an extract from their story. |
A fire service spokesman said: "Her daughter asked her mum for petrol because she had run out. The cooker was on and the fumes ignited." | A fire service spokesman said: "Her daughter asked her mum for petrol because she had run out. The cooker was on and the fumes ignited." |
| Station manager Lee Smith, whose Acomb crew attended the fire, said: "The people were cooking their tea and dispensing petrol from a container to a glass jug. | Station manager Lee Smith, whose Acomb crew attended the fire, said: "The people were cooking their tea and dispensing petrol from a container to a glass jug. |
| "The vapour then ignited, the jug was then spilt which obviously ignited as well and the person involved in the decanting was consumed by the flames. | "The vapour then ignited, the jug was then spilt which obviously ignited as well and the person involved in the decanting was consumed by the flames. |
| "Her daughter phoned 999 and was obviously extremely distressed." | "Her daughter phoned 999 and was obviously extremely distressed." |
| 12.10pm: Officially the Labour party aren't commenting on the accident in York at this stage. With a woman in hospital with 40% burns, party officials say they don't think it's appropriate to speak out. | 12.10pm: Officially the Labour party aren't commenting on the accident in York at this stage. With a woman in hospital with 40% burns, party officials say they don't think it's appropriate to speak out. |
| 12.06pm: The Labour MP Kark Turner, who represents Hull East, has also suggested that Francis Maude should resign. | 12.06pm: The Labour MP Kark Turner, who represents Hull East, has also suggested that Francis Maude should resign. |
| Francis Maude should resign if his politicking and unnecessary panic has led to York woman decanting petrol in kitchen suffering 40% burns | Francis Maude should resign if his politicking and unnecessary panic has led to York woman decanting petrol in kitchen suffering 40% burns |
| — Karl Turner MP(@KarlTurnerMP) March 30, 2012 | — Karl Turner MP(@KarlTurnerMP) March 30, 2012 |
| 12.02pm: The Labour MP Tom Harris says Francis Maude should not be blamed for the York accident. | 12.02pm: The Labour MP Tom Harris says Francis Maude should not be blamed for the York accident. |
| Instead of blaming ministers for the accident involving the York woman decanting fuel, we should simply warn people against storing fuel. | Instead of blaming ministers for the accident involving the York woman decanting fuel, we should simply warn people against storing fuel. |
| — Tom Harris (@TomHarrisMP) March 30, 2012 | — Tom Harris (@TomHarrisMP) March 30, 2012 |
| 11.54am: Sky are saying that the woman who was burnt in York was decanting petrol from one container to another in her kitchen because her daughter needed petrol for her car. That suggests that the woman was not following Francis Maude's advice about stockpiling. (See 10.20am.) But the Sky reporter also said that garages in York had been running out of petrol, and so there may well still be some link between the panic buying of petrol (which was encouraged by the government) and the accident, although of course neither Maude, nor any other minister, has been telling people to decant fuel in the kitchen. | 11.54am: Sky are saying that the woman who was burnt in York was decanting petrol from one container to another in her kitchen because her daughter needed petrol for her car. That suggests that the woman was not following Francis Maude's advice about stockpiling. (See 10.20am.) But the Sky reporter also said that garages in York had been running out of petrol, and so there may well still be some link between the panic buying of petrol (which was encouraged by the government) and the accident, although of course neither Maude, nor any other minister, has been telling people to decant fuel in the kitchen. |
| 11.48am: Number 10 now has a line on woman who was burnt in York after decanting petrol in her kitchen. But it's not a very revealing one. This is from a spokeswoman. | 11.48am: Number 10 now has a line on woman who was burnt in York after decanting petrol in her kitchen. But it's not a very revealing one. This is from a spokeswoman. |
| We are aware of the reports. People should follow the advice from the Health and Safety Executive. | We are aware of the reports. People should follow the advice from the Health and Safety Executive. |
Here's the HSE advice. | Here's the HSE advice. |
| They still have not got an answer to the question about whether David Cameron thinks Francis Maude's comments were in any way responsible. | They still have not got an answer to the question about whether David Cameron thinks Francis Maude's comments were in any way responsible. |
| 11.24am: A Labour peer has called for Francis Maude to resign. This is from Toby Harris, a former chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority. | 11.24am: A Labour peer has called for Francis Maude to resign. This is from Toby Harris, a former chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority. |
| This woman was following advice from Govt Minister Francis Maude & ends up with 40% burns. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan… Disgraceful. He shd resign. | This woman was following advice from Govt Minister Francis Maude & ends up with 40% burns. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan… Disgraceful. He shd resign. |
| — Lord Toby Harris (@LordTobySays) March 30, 2012 | — Lord Toby Harris (@LordTobySays) March 30, 2012 |
| 11.17am: The British Chambers of Commerce has said that panic buying petrol could harm the economy. This is from John Longworth, the BCC's director. | 11.17am: The British Chambers of Commerce has said that panic buying petrol could harm the economy. This is from John Longworth, the BCC's director. |
Employers are working flat out to keep their businesses afloat and deliver growth during challenging economic times. The last thing they need to contend with is a fuel strike, which could have a damaging effect on businesses across the UK ... People have already started panic buying, which will lead to further shortages and make the problem even worse. | Employers are working flat out to keep their businesses afloat and deliver growth during challenging economic times. The last thing they need to contend with is a fuel strike, which could have a damaging effect on businesses across the UK ... People have already started panic buying, which will lead to further shortages and make the problem even worse. |
| 11.05am: What's happening on the forecourts? My colleague Shiv Malik has sent me this. | 11.05am: What's happening on the forecourts? My colleague Shiv Malik has sent me this. |
| We had a number of tweeters yesterday reporting fights breaking out at forecourts. BBC Essex also had a caller describing the scene at one gas station, "people were just going the wrong way around the roundabout, blocking the way and then two vehicles just had a massive punch up, two guys got out and the police have just arrived." You can hear it here at 4:03. | We had a number of tweeters yesterday reporting fights breaking out at forecourts. BBC Essex also had a caller describing the scene at one gas station, "people were just going the wrong way around the roundabout, blocking the way and then two vehicles just had a massive punch up, two guys got out and the police have just arrived." You can hear it here at 4:03. |
| However this morning, after contacting a number of police constabularies, we found that not one of them has a log of being called to attend a forecourt fight. This includes forces from Kent and London to Merseyside, Greater Manchester and North Wales and even Essex police themselves, which is odd given the BBC caller's testimony. | However this morning, after contacting a number of police constabularies, we found that not one of them has a log of being called to attend a forecourt fight. This includes forces from Kent and London to Merseyside, Greater Manchester and North Wales and even Essex police themselves, which is odd given the BBC caller's testimony. |
| But there are still queues, apparently. This is from the Labour MP Chris Bryant. | But there are still queues, apparently. This is from the Labour MP Chris Bryant. |
| Panic buying in Porth has caused gridlock | Panic buying in Porth has caused gridlock |
| — Chris Bryant (@ChrisBryantMP) March 30, 2012 | — Chris Bryant (@ChrisBryantMP) March 30, 2012 |
| 10.55am: Here's what Unite's assistant general secretary Diana Holland on why Unite will not be calling a tanker drivers' strike over Easter. | 10.55am: Here's what Unite's assistant general secretary Diana Holland on why Unite will not be calling a tanker drivers' strike over Easter. |
| We will not be calling Easter strike action as we focus on substantive talks through Acas. We do still retain the right to call strike action for after the Easter, should those talks break down. | We will not be calling Easter strike action as we focus on substantive talks through Acas. We do still retain the right to call strike action for after the Easter, should those talks break down. |
| It should be stressed that what we are seeking is reasonable and no more than what is in place elsewhere in the industry. There have been minimum standards governing the offshore oil industry since 2000 covering health and safety, training, and terms and conditions. | It should be stressed that what we are seeking is reasonable and no more than what is in place elsewhere in the industry. There have been minimum standards governing the offshore oil industry since 2000 covering health and safety, training, and terms and conditions. |
| This is not a political dispute. It is an industrial dispute and the government's recent rhetoric will not help us achieve a negotiated settlement. They must set aside their political objectives and work with us, the employers, retailers and oil companies to achieve an outcome that is good for the industry and the country. | This is not a political dispute. It is an industrial dispute and the government's recent rhetoric will not help us achieve a negotiated settlement. They must set aside their political objectives and work with us, the employers, retailers and oil companies to achieve an outcome that is good for the industry and the country. |
| Holland gets the unenviable honour of a profile in the Daily Mail today (here, at the bottom of this article). The Mail focuses on her because, as well as being the Unite official in charge of the tanker drivers' dispute, she is also treasurer of the Labour party. | Holland gets the unenviable honour of a profile in the Daily Mail today (here, at the bottom of this article). The Mail focuses on her because, as well as being the Unite official in charge of the tanker drivers' dispute, she is also treasurer of the Labour party. |
| 10.46am: Downing Street have not got anything to say about the burning incident in York yet. But they will need a line soon. | 10.46am: Downing Street have not got anything to say about the burning incident in York yet. But they will need a line soon. |
| Here's what the Daily Mail's deputy political editor Tim Shipman is saying about it on Twitter. | Here's what the Daily Mail's deputy political editor Tim Shipman is saying about it on Twitter. |
| The snap lobby reaction is that it is difficult to see Maude surviving this woman ingiting herself transferring petrol. Details sketchy tho | The snap lobby reaction is that it is difficult to see Maude surviving this woman ingiting herself transferring petrol. Details sketchy tho |
| — Tim Shipman (Mail) (@ShippersUnbound) March 30, 2012 | — Tim Shipman (Mail) (@ShippersUnbound) March 30, 2012 |
| 10.40am: What is actually happening in the talks between Unite and the haulage companies? My colleague Dan Milmo has sent me this. | 10.40am: What is actually happening in the talks between Unite and the haulage companies? My colleague Dan Milmo has sent me this. |
| Behind the scenes of the dispute, the Unite trade union and the haulier companies are still holding talks about talks. Banish the image ofsmoke-filled rooms from your minds. It appears to involve documents being shuttled back and forth from Acas as both sides thrash out an agenda for talks that will, with hope, begin next week. There are expectations that they will agree to discuss common standards on health & safety, training and pensions - as well as a national forum that will meet regularly to discuss them. | Behind the scenes of the dispute, the Unite trade union and the haulier companies are still holding talks about talks. Banish the image ofsmoke-filled rooms from your minds. It appears to involve documents being shuttled back and forth from Acas as both sides thrash out an agenda for talks that will, with hope, begin next week. There are expectations that they will agree to discuss common standards on health & safety, training and pensions - as well as a national forum that will meet regularly to discuss them. |
| Unite is adamant that these have to be serious talks that have the backing of the hauliers' customers. Its officials feel there is no point in agreeing standards that are then undercut by the likes of Tesco, Shell and Esso whenever they issue new fuel transport tenders. | Unite is adamant that these have to be serious talks that have the backing of the hauliers' customers. Its officials feel there is no point in agreeing standards that are then undercut by the likes of Tesco, Shell and Esso whenever they issue new fuel transport tenders. |
| 10.37am: The Press Association has just snapped this. | 10.37am: The Press Association has just snapped this. |
| Unite has ruled out strike action by tanker drivers over Easter to focus on talks, the union said today. | Unite has ruled out strike action by tanker drivers over Easter to focus on talks, the union said today. |
| 10.20am: Today the petrol crisis has turned particularly ugly for the government. Two days after Francis Maude urged motorists to stockpile petrol in containers - "a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage is a sensible precaution to take," he said - a woman has been seriously burnt decanting petrol from one container to another in a house in York. | 10.20am: Today the petrol crisis has turned particularly ugly for the government. Two days after Francis Maude urged motorists to stockpile petrol in containers - "a bit of extra fuel in a jerry can in the garage is a sensible precaution to take," he said - a woman has been seriously burnt decanting petrol from one container to another in a house in York. |
| Here's the full statement from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. | Here's the full statement from North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. |
| North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) attended a domestic property fire in York yesterday involving a female occupier who was in her kitchen and whilst de-canting petrol from one container to another the petrol ignited and set fire to her clothing. The casualty was treated by ambulance personnel and was taken to Pinderfields Hospital with 40% burns to her whole body. | North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) attended a domestic property fire in York yesterday involving a female occupier who was in her kitchen and whilst de-canting petrol from one container to another the petrol ignited and set fire to her clothing. The casualty was treated by ambulance personnel and was taken to Pinderfields Hospital with 40% burns to her whole body. |
| Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish a small fire in the kitchen and removed the remaining petrol. | Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish a small fire in the kitchen and removed the remaining petrol. |
| Peter Hudson spokesman for NYFRS said, "Members of the public should take extreme care when handling and storing petrol and be aware of the risks associated with incorrect use and storage of fuel. In domestic situations fuel containers must not be stored in living accommodation such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms or under staircases. Any storage place should be well away from living areas and be secured to protect against the possibility of vandalism or arson. | Peter Hudson spokesman for NYFRS said, "Members of the public should take extreme care when handling and storing petrol and be aware of the risks associated with incorrect use and storage of fuel. In domestic situations fuel containers must not be stored in living accommodation such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms or under staircases. Any storage place should be well away from living areas and be secured to protect against the possibility of vandalism or arson. |
| He continued, "Never bring petrol in side your home. If you do smell petrol fumes in a garage or out building ventilate the area and make sure nobody smokes or turns electrical switches on or off. The slightest spark could cause an explosion." | He continued, "Never bring petrol in side your home. If you do smell petrol fumes in a garage or out building ventilate the area and make sure nobody smokes or turns electrical switches on or off. The slightest spark could cause an explosion." |
At this stage we don't know anything more. It is conceivable that this had nothing to do with Maude and the fuel strike panic - perhaps the woman just needed petrol for a lawnmower? - but ministers must be worried that a week that was already dreadful for the govenrment has just got much worse. | At this stage we don't know anything more. It is conceivable that this had nothing to do with Maude and the fuel strike panic - perhaps the woman just needed petrol for a lawnmower? - but ministers must be worried that a week that was already dreadful for the govenrment has just got much worse. |
| The news broke as panic buying continued. Ed Davey, the energy secretary, is meeting haulage companies later today to discuss contingency plans in case the tanker drivers's strike does go ahead. I'll be covering all the developments live. | The news broke as panic buying continued. Ed Davey, the energy secretary, is meeting haulage companies later today to discuss contingency plans in case the tanker drivers's strike does go ahead. I'll be covering all the developments live. |
| If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to follow me on Twitter, I'm on @AndrewSparrow. |