The Business Secretary has met with senior executives from the fuel industry following recent supply chain issues at petrol forecourts in some areas of the UK
During the meeting, attendees discussed issues caused by supply chain pressures and spikes in localised demand.
As a result, Businesses Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has this evening agreed to implement a measure to temporarily exempt industry from the Competition Act 1998 for the purpose of sharing information and optimising supply.
Known as The Downstream Oil Protocol, this step will allow Government to work constructively with fuel producers, suppliers, hauliers and retailers to ensure that disruption is minimised as far as possible.
The measure will make it easier for industry to share information, so that they can more easily prioritise the delivery of fuel to the parts of the country and strategic locations that are most in need.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
The decision follows a package of measures announced over the weekend which will see the Government ease temporary supply chain pressures brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding around the world.
These include an immediate increase in HGV testing, short term visas for HGV drivers and new skills bootcamps to train up to 3,000 more people to become HGV drivers.
In a joint statement, stakeholders* said:
Notes to Editors
Joint statement from: