Fuel crisis: UK business secretary says 150 soldiers mobilised to drive tankers within a few days – live
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Car use in Britain fell at the start of this week amid the fuel crisis, to the lowest level for a working Monday since 12 July.
Department for Transport figures show car traffic was at 91% of pre-pandemic levels on Monday, compared with 97% a week earlier. On Saturday, car use decreased week-on-week from 107% to 102%, while on Sunday it declined from 109% to 104%.
The UK’s business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, has confirmed that military tanker drivers are going to step in to help ease the fuel crisis. He said 150 soldiers had been mobilised and would be driving tankers within a few days.
Drivers around the country are queuing again for fuel, despite prime minister Boris Johnson insisting that the situation was improving. Kwarteng said:
I think in the next couple of days, people will see some soldiers driving the tanker fleet. The last few days have been difficult. We’ve seen large queues but I think the situation is stabilising, we’re getting petrol into the forecourts. I think we’re going to see our way through this.
I’m not guaranteeing anything. All I’m saying is that, I think the situation is stabilising.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/3iijgaT
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