Original title: British "oil shortage" persistent government response measures accused of falling short of a drop in the bucket source: CCTV news client
At a time when the huge shortfall in the employment of truck drivers cannot be alleviated in the short term, Britain's "fuel shortage" continues, with many gas stations in major British cities running out of fuel as of September 30 local time. Some experts point out that the British government has been aware of the potential risks for many years, but has done nothing.
As there is no gas to sell, the gas station has been closed, but some people are still waiting hopelessly.
Londoners:I am a driver in the logistics industry, mainly transporting food. Because this is the period of the epidemic, many people are quarantined at home. The current situation is reminiscent of World War III.
Londoners:I've been waiting here for three hours, and they said there was gas, so I came. But now the gas station is not open, they say it will be solved, but who knows, we can only wait and see.
Experts say the shortage of truck drivers will not only hit the fuel transport system, but could also have a huge impact on the supply of goods in the UK during the New year holiday. Brexit and the COVID-19 epidemic are the underlying causes of the current crisis.
Rob McKinsey, Executive Director of Policy and Public Relations, British Road Transport Association:On the one hand, we left the European Union, which forced 20000 European truck drivers to leave the UK because they were not welcome under the new immigration policy. At the same time, affected by the epidemic, 40000 training exams for truck drivers were cancelled due to social distance requirements. We are also facing the aging of truck drivers, and many drivers decide to retire every week.
Experts also pointed out that in the face of a huge driver gap, the British government's measures to speed up the training and testing of truck drivers and issue 5000 temporary work visas are only a drop in the bucket.
Rob McKinsey, Executive Director of Policy and Public Relations, British Road Transport Association:It is obvious that the British Government has not dealt with this problem well. We have warned them about this problem for many years, but they always say that this is your problem and that it should be solved by you.
(editor Zheng Liheng)