UK Fuel Shortage Sparks PANIC as ‘No Fuel’ Signs Appear Across Major Supermarkets! 🌪

A former oil company boss has urged ministers to consider imposing driving restrictions as the UK braces for a potential fuel supply crisis.

Nick Butler, the ex-BP head of strategy and former policy advisor to Gordon Brown, warned that quick action is needed to manage the growing fuel shortage. One solution he suggested involved limiting drivers to alternate days on the road, depending on their car’s registration number.

Mr Butler also floated the idea of employers giving staff an extra day off each week to help cut down on commuter traffic, easing the strain on the country’s fuel supplies. He explained: “If supplies are cut by 20 per cent, then someone is using 20% less.”

Mr Butler went on to tell BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The government has to protect the key sectors of the economy – food supply, health service, schools and so on – and then it has to work out how it’s going to manage the market for the rest of us.

“I don’t think they can just leave it to a free-for-all, which would be chaotic and very regressive and unfair to those of limited ability to pay. I don’t think it’s going to be ration books.”

He continued: “A lot of countries around the world are now beginning to look at how to gently reduce consumption – driving alternate days for different registration numbers, having an extra day’s holiday a week – that’s what some countries in the Far East are doing.”

The news comes after a number of ‘no fuel’ signs have been spotted on the forecourts of certain major supermarkets. However, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the UK has strong and diverse fuel security, and fuel production and imports are continuing across the UK as usual.

Nevetheless, a period of growing uncertainty is hitting global oil markets, as experts continue to monitor the fallout from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its potential impact on fuel prices and availability in the UK.

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through this narrow stretch of water annually, and its shutdown has created ripple effects in fuel availability here at home. Several Sainsbury’s petrol stations have been hit hard by shortages, including in Bridgwater and Bamber Bridge in Preston, Lancashire. Similarly, locations in Darlington, County Durham, and Kidderminster in Worcestershire are facing a lack of diesel.

In Nottingham, the Sainsbury’s petrol station on Castle Bridge Road is also without petrol – though it remains stocked with other fuel types, according to The Sun. Elsewhere, Sainsbury’s Wrexham Superstore temporarily only has unleaded petrol.

Tesco has also been affected by fuel shortages. On Friday (March 27), staff members were seen closing pumps at one of the supermarket’s petrol forecourt in Cheshire. However, the retail giant confirmed it had good availability of all fuel grades, with regular deliveries to all fuel stations.

While the day before, a ‘no fuel’ sign greeted drivers as they entered the Tesco Superstore in Worcester. A photo showed the station in Worcestershire almost deserted, with cones in front of pumps unable to service anyone after the shortages hit.

Earlier this week, Asda boss Allan Leighton warned that some of its forecourts are experiencing temporary shortages of petrol. “Our fuel volumes are up quite significantly and clearly demand has been outstripping supply. Supply is tight and we are all trying hard on that. The issue is a temporary one and some could see issues when we are waiting for delivery, and we can expect to see that continue,” he said.

Mr Leighton added that higher demand from customers has led to a small number of local “spikes”, but that these issues are not nationwide. Despite concerns, Fuel Industry UK, which represents the fuel sector, said the supply of petrol and diesel is “stable”.

A spokesperson said: “Companies are monitoring the fuel supply situation closely and reporting regularly into the energy department on the status now and for the weeks ahead. Supply remains stable in the UK and our members are working hard to ensure that remains the case.”

RAC Fuel Watch notes that Sainsbury’s is currently charging 141.3p per litre, which is cheaper than supermarket rivals Asda, Tesco and Morrisons. While RAC data says that the average price of unleaded petrol has risen by more than 17p a litre since US President Donald Trump launched his war on Iran in February to 150.11p.

The ongoing war has significantly raised the cost of Brent crude, the global oil price benchmark, with prices soaring from $73 (£55) to over $100 per barrel. Analysts suggest that for every $10 (£7.50) rise, petrol prices jump by roughly 7p at the pump.

RAC figures show petrol has climbed 16.6p to 149.44p per litre since the conflict began and diesel has seen an even steeper increase, up by 33.4p to 175.73p per litre. Experts warn that both fuel prices are likely to continue climbing.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said the war in Iran has wrought a financial price both on British motorists and businesses. He said: “This puts a financial price on the war not just for UK drivers but also the nation’s businesses. Whether you are running a household or a company, fuel prices make up a significant part of the budget.

“Even those who don’t drive will be impacted by higher transport costs as firms pass on their additional costs to their customers. All of which is adding to the cost-of-living crisis.”

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s told us that the company is “actively monitoring stock levels in all locations and continuing to resupply sites where needed.” While an Asda spokesperson told us: “All our forecourts are receiving their normal fuel deliveries, and sites are operating as usual. From time to time an individual pump may be briefly unavailable while it is being refilled, but customers will continue to have access to fuel across our estate.”

MGF, who owns and operates Morrisons fuel stations, declined to comment. The Mirror also contacted Tesco. A DESNZ spokesperson said: “This is wrong. Petrol stations are well stocked and we have a diverse and resilient supply.”