Contingency plans to prepare for possible oil shortages caused by the war in Iran could see fuel rationed and supplies for critical sectors, such as health, prioritised.
Downing Street insisted on Monday that petrol stations across the UK remain well-stocked, with Britain’s diverse fuel supplies resilient to the ongoing global instability as Iran continues to blockade the Stait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil travels.
But, as the Prime Minister met industry leaders to discuss the challenges posed by the conflict in Iran, No 10 said the government was planning for “all eventualities”.
Ministers urged to set out contingency plans
Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday there was “no need” for drivers to “do anything other than what is normal,” despite reports petrol rationing is being considered in other European nations.
Ministers may need to prioritise essential industries if the supply of diesel and jet fuel gets badly squeezed, energy experts told The i Paper.
Ministers were also urged to set out the UK’s contingency plan to reassure people.
Ashley Kelty, energy analyst at investment bank Panmure Liberum, said petrol supply should remain steady – but warned that it looked as if diesel shortages may start to hit the UK in late April.
“A shortage [of diesel] is coming,” he told The i Paper. “The Government has been coy, because it doesn’t want to trigger panic-buying. But the situation is definitely quite perilous.”
Ellen Fraser, an energy expert at the consultancy Baringa, said it appeared that major oil companies thought a squeeze in diesel would hit the UK within a month.
The energy analyst said it was worth considering “sensible measures”, such as encouraging people to work from home and cancelling some domestic flights.
Richard Smith, of the Road Haulage Association, said the Government needed a “clear plan” to “keep goods moving across the UK” and Colin Smith, of the Scottish Wholesale Association, said food and drink distributors must be included in “any priority access”.
Arjan Geveke, of the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG), which represents UK manufacturers, said there was a risk that factories would have to begin cutting back production in the coming weeks because of rising energy costs.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it was not looking to enact any emergency responses, beyond a coordinated release of oil stocks that happened earlier in March to prevent disruption to global supplies.
Asked about preparations for fuel shortages, the PM’s official spokesman said: “We will always plan for all eventualities.”
But he stressed that petrol stations are “well-stocked nationally and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect,” with officials keen to minimise any risk of panic buying of fuel.
Adam Bell, a former government adviser and a partner at the consultancy firm Stonehaven, suggested “volume measures” or rationing may be needed.
“I think it’s probably likely that if the war continues, then by the middle of the month, the prime minister will start saying some volume measures might be appropriate,” he told Times Radio.
UK’s emergency plan for fuel shortages
The UK already has an emergency framework in the event of fuel running low, which was last updated in 2024.
It sets out what would happen in the event of a “severe national fuel supply shortage,” including plans to prioritise emergency service vehicles such as ambulances whilst limiting the amount of fuel ordinary customers can buy.
Oil and fuel distributors could also be ordered to prioritise the delivery to critical service industries – such as food, utilities and public transport, as well as healthcare.
Fuel could also be sold only during specific hours and speed limits could be lowered to reduce consumption.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) – a global body responsible for overseeing energy supplies and security – previously recommended several measures to reduce demand for fuel which included encouraging the use of public transport or working from home as well as reducing speeding limits.
Some countries already facing fuel shortages have begun to implement such policies but UK Government sources said it is not currently facing the same risk.
The Government also has the power to enact certain measures to ensure fuel supply is protected, to stave off possible shortages.
A reserve fleet of fuel tankers that can be deployed at short notice to provide additional capacity and the Armed Forces could also assist with fuel deliveries.
Emergency oil stocks, which the UK is obliged to hold, can be released to provide additional supply. A coordinated release of some of these took place in early March, alongside IEA partners.
Speaking to representatives from firms including Shell and BP, shipping giant Maersk and banks on Monday, Starmer said a joint business and government effort was needed to protect Brits from rising energy, petrol and prices.
“The Government can’t do it on its own. You can’t do it on your own. We’re going to have to work together on this,” he told the executives.
Hence then, the article about petrol for ambulances and new speed limits the uk s fuel shortage plan was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Petrol for ambulances and new speed limits – the UK’s fuel shortage plan )
Also on site :
- Meet the ex-Google CMO who quit with a seven-figure package by 28—he says getting promoted was easy because he just ‘disregarded all the rules’
- REGENXBIO Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations - Contact the DJS Law Group to Discuss Your Rights - RGNX
- Why have the US and Israel bombed more than 75 Iranian police facilities?