How did the petrol Panic buying start and what’s behind the crisis?

Late last week, the oil firm BP warned that it would have to “temporarily” close a handful of its petrol stations, because of a lack of lorry drivers to supply fuel.

Long queues began to build up at stations across Great Britain over the weekend, amid fears that petrol might run out.

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There are a number of reasons – and countries across Europe have been affected – but the UK has been one of the worst hit.

After Brexit, many European drivers left the UK, then the pandemic saw even more drivers go back to their home countries, with few returning.

UK government has put a suspension of competition law between oil firms to allow for improved coordination of supply’s.

Also the process of obtaining an HGV driver licence will be sped up and a plan to train 4,000 others to become HGV drivers.

The BBC has been told that 75 military drivers are on standby initially, and another 75 could be added if needed.

Oil companies have stressed that there is plenty of fuel available. And that the shortage is being caused by “temporary spikes in customer demand” – or as Petrol Retailers Association chairman Brian Madderson put it, “panic buying, pure and simple”.