[ad_1]
Around 200 servicemen including 100 drivers will provide “temporary” support to alleviate the burden on petrol stations. UK ministers have announced 300 overseas fuel tanker drivers will be able to work in the UK immediately until the end of March 2022.
Ministers have said the military involvement as part of Operation Escalin would help “fill in any critical vacancies and help keep the country on the move” ahead of Christmas.
The Petrol Retailers Association, on Friday, commented there had not been major change for its members who are independent fuel retailers.
The Association represents around 5,500 of the UK’s 8,300 petrol stations.
Its survey of 1,100 UK sites discovered 26 percent had neither petrol or diesel in stock.
This was lower than the 27 percent reported on Thursday.
On top of this, temporary visas are expected to be given to 4,700 food haulage drivers who can arrive from late October until 31 December.
It was previously reported the visas would expire on Christmas Eve.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Thanks to the immense efforts of industry over the past week, we are seeing continued signs that the situation at the pumps is slowly improving.
READ MORE: Brexit fury as Boris’ deal an ‘insult to UK sovereignty’
Earlier this month, the UK Government announced 50,000 more HGV driving tests would be made available to encourage more people into lorry driving to meet the shortage.
[ad_2]
