UK faces threat of fuel protests

The UK is facing the prospect of widespread fuel protests starting on 0600 BST on 14 September. Andrew Spence, the spokesperson for a group calling itself the 'Fuel Lobby' has stated that all UK oil refineries will be blocked unless the UK government reduces the tax that it takes from petrol and fuel sales.

Similar protests in 2000 resulted in widespread fuel shortages, impacting on the sales and logistics processes in many businesses.

Businesses would be well advised to take the warning seriously but will need to tread a delicate balance between ensuring that they have sufficient contingency fuel supplies and avoiding 'panic buying'.

Continuity Central will track this story as it develops.

Interestingly, the main fuel protest website and Yahoo discussion group for this subject are both offline at present, possibly indicating that fuel protest organisers are attempting to keep the specifics of their plans out of the public domain, therefore retaining the element of surprise.

•Date: 7th September 2005 • Region: UK• Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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