What measures is the UK government taking in response to the potential fuel shortage? The UK government is reviewing emergency petrol and diesel rationing plans under the Energy Act 1976 to prepare for potential supply crises.
The UK already has an emergency framework in place for fuel shortages, which was last updated in 2024. If activated, these rationing plans could include a £30 fuel purchase limit and priority access for essential services like the NHS and police.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) manages the UK’s emergency fuel strategies. The government has confirmed it is reviewing its national fuel emergency plans, designed to protect essential services in the event of a major petrol or diesel shortage.
Energy experts predict a shortage of diesel could hit the UK in late April. Shell’s chief executive has warned that Europe could face energy shortages and fuel rationing as early as next month if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
In a recent statement, a spokesman for the Prime Minister emphasized, “We will always plan for all eventualities.” The government has reassured the public that the UK is well prepared for any disruption, urging motorists to fill up as normal.
“There’s no reason to panic. The government has emphasised that this is a contingency measure, not an alert of impending shortages,” a government source stated.
Slovenia has already become the first EU country to start rationing fuel due to supply chain disruptions, highlighting the seriousness of the situation in Europe.
Nick Butler, an energy expert, noted, “The government has to protect the key sectors of the economy – food supply, health service, schools and so on.” The UK’s fuel supply network is robust, and these plans are being reviewed as a sensible precaution.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timing and extent of potential fuel shortages in the UK, as well as the impact of the ongoing conflict in Iran on UK fuel supplies. The government has not confirmed any immediate shortages.
