Lack of drivers is causing the petrol crisis in the UK

The shortage of truck drivers is not a new problem in the UK.

The difficulties are due to Brexit, when many drivers disappeared from the market.

Some moved back to their home countries while others stopped driving to the UK due to the increased border controls, writes the BBC.

The problem was then exacerbated by the corona pandemic.

Closed borders have made it difficult for foreign drivers to work in the country, at the same time as driving tests for new truck drivers have been postponed.

However, it was not until the country's coronary restrictions were eased earlier this year that the shortage became really noticeable.

The supply chains could not keep pace with the increased consumption, and according to the BBC, there are currently as many as 100,000 drivers missing in the country.

Long queues for the pumps

The logistics problems have had consequences for a number of industries in the UK.

In grocery stores, some shelves are empty and several large fast food chains have been forced to remove products for their menus.

Right now, however, the problems are most obvious in the fuel industry.

The lack of staff who can drive a tanker has forced petrol stations to close all over the country.

At open gas stations, long queues of people panicking about petrol can be seen, but the government is reassuring.

- Just continue as usual.

Fuel is available and it continues to flow, says Britain's Transport Minister Grant Shapps to the BBC.

The government is expected to ease rules

Already during the summer, the industry raised a warning finger that the crisis would worsen.

The employers' organization Confederation of British Industry then demanded changes to migration rules, and now it looks like the calls may have been heard.

This weekend, the government is expected to present new visa rules that will make it easier for foreign truck drivers to work in the country, writes the BBC.

However, such a reform may take time, and until then the government is considering other alternatives.

According to several British media, the government plans to let the military step in to transport fuel, and the transport minister confirms that this is an option.

"If it can help, we will take them in," Shapps told the BBC.