Poll: Voters 'Blame Government For Fuel Panic'

Four out of five voters blame the Government for the panic-buying of fuel that prompted disruption across the UK, according to an opinion poll.

The ComRes poll for The Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror also found 72% of the 1,127 adults questioned online said the coalition was "out of touch with ordinary people".

News of the poll emerged as receding fears of fuel shortages saw queues shortening on the country's petrol station forecourts.

Poll: Voters 'Blame
Government For Fuel Panic'

Motoring organisations and petrol retailers said demand had eased after the Government reversed its advice that drivers fill up if their tanks drop below two-thirds full.

The new recommendation that motorists should not queue at petrol stations came after Unite , the union representing 2,000 fuel tanker drivers, ruled out the threat of strikes over Easter.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "There is no urgency to top up your tank, a strike will not happen over Easter."

The AA said demand had fallen dramatically since the new advice was issued.

"Panic buying has dramatically dropped," a spokesman said.

"I think where there has been a problem, it has been waiting for petrol stations to be replenished and some drivers have interpreted that as a continued problem."

A spokeswoman for BP also reported a fall in demand following the new Government advice.

"There is less demand on forecourts," she said.

"However there is still above normal demand. We are making deliveries as quickly as possible to sites and are working 24/7 to get fuel to sites that are running or have run out."


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Fuel strike postponed while union sits down for talks

Fuel tanker drivers will not strike next week or over Easter.

Britain’s motorists breathed a collective sigh of relief after union Unite issued a statement confirming that they will instead focus on substantive talks to establish minimum standards in the fuel oil distribution industry rather than engage in industrial action.

The union insists that its demands for standards to be introduced for portable sector pensions, independently accredited training, and health and safety were not unreasonable and in line with standards already in place elsewhere in the oil industry.

“We will not be calling Easter strike action as we focus on substantive talks through ACAS [employment rights and conciliation service],” said Diana Holland, Unite’s Assistant General Secretary.

She warned that strike action could still be a possibility if talks broke down and that the dispute was not political but industrial.

“The Government’s recent rhetoric will not help us achieve a negotiated settlement. [It] must set aside its political objectives and work with us, the employers, retailers and oil companies to achieve an outcome that is good for the industry and the country.

“It should be stressed that what we are seeking is reasonable and no more than what is in place elsewhere in the industry. There have been minimum standards governing the offshore oil industry since 2000 covering health and safety, training and terms and conditions.”

Unite is keen to get the talks under way as soon as possible but it is understood that they will not take place before Easter.