Huge queues at petrol stations and restrictions on the purchase of petrol have forced London to introduce a simplified visa regime for employees of the transport industry, which will increase the number of drivers to transport fuel, EurAsia Daily writes
Earlier it became known that the British company EG Group, which owns almost 400 petrol stations in the United Kingdom, introduced restrictions on the purchase of petrol due to a rush in demand for fuel. The gasoline crisis was caused by an acute shortage of heavy vehicle drivers, including petrol tankers.
According to British media, at least 50 of the 1200 stations of oil giant BP have a shortage of fuel, and several of them are temporarily closed. Britons are forced to stand in long queues to fill up their cars. Industry officials have warned that if the shortage of drivers continues, there could be problems with deliveries over the Christmas season.
London has confirmed that around five thousand foreign truckers will be allowed to enter the UK on short-term visas. However, transport industry representatives say the country is short about 100,000 truckers.
Experts say around 25,000 drivers have left the UK since Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic has put the qualification process for new staff in the transport industry on hold for nearly a year.