Retailers have reported that petrol supplies are still not reaching London and south-east England, with more than a quarter of forecourts still empty.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) expressed the expectation that the Army’s tanker drivers will assist in increasing gasoline delivery.
However, the “crisis is essentially over” in Scotland, Wales, the North, and the Midlands, according to the report.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had already stated that supply chain issues might last until Christmas.
“The petrol is still not getting to the pumps that need it most in London and the South East,” said Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA.
Up to 22% of filling stations in the UK’s most populated area were dry on Sunday morning, with just 60% having both grades of gasoline available. Only 6% of stations in the Midlands, Northern England, and Scotland were dry, according to the PRA.
Mr Madderson said the PRA was “disappointed that no coordinated effort is being made to solve the supply difficulties” in the South, which comprises roughly 5,500 of the UK’s 8,000 filling stations.
He believes that filling stations require more information regarding delivery ahead of time.
However, he said that there was a “enough supply at filling stations” in the north, with little queueing.
Mr Madderson said that he believed the army’s presence would “assist in increasing gasoline delivery.”
Military troops will be accessible to haulers beginning Monday, with over 65 drivers originally available.
A total of 200 army personnel, including 100 drivers, are expected to be deployed.
“Stocks in London and the South of England have been recovering at a somewhat slower rate than in other parts of the UK,” a government official said. “As a result, we have began sending military troops to enhance supplies in these regions.”
“More than half of those who have completed fuel delivery training have been assigned to terminals in London and the South-East of England.”
Sainsbury’s supermarket stated its petrol outlets were still witnessing “strong demand” for fuel.
“We’re working closely with our supplier to ensure supply, and all of our locations are receiving gasoline,” said a spokesperson.
A persistent lack of lorry drivers has impacted several sectors of the UK economy, including food companies and gas stations, which the haulage industry has blamed on reasons such as Covid, Brexit, an aging workforce, and tax reforms.
Boris Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday that allowing huge numbers of foreign workers into the country will not alleviate labor market difficulties.
He argued that the shortage of lorry drivers was not unique to the United Kingdom, claiming that the United States, China, and certain European nations were all experiencing comparable problems.
However, there have been no reports of fuel shortages or food shortages in those nations due to driver shortages.
The recent rush of individuals filling up their automobiles was sparked by rumors that supplies were being hampered due to a scarcity of tanker drivers.
The prime minister stated that the UK economy is in a “period of adjustment,” and that the sector must guarantee that HGV drivers are “fairly compensated.”
“We have to make sure individuals come on stream as quickly as we possibly can,” he continued.
“People voted for change in 2016, and they voted for change again in 2019, signaling the end of a failed model of the UK economy based on low salaries, poor skills, and chronic low productivity.” That’s something we’re getting away from.”