LONDON, Sept 26 — Britain’s transport secretary today accused lorry industry representatives of helping to spark petrol panic-buying, as he defended a U-turn on post-Brexit immigration policy to ease an escalating supply crisis.
But in broadcast interviews Sunday Shapps claimed a road haulage association leak to the media about potential fuel delivery shortages had contributed to the panic-buying, and blamed the industry for being “counterproductive”. He said the government needed to encourage a “holistic” approach to the numerous problems the industry faces.The decision to expand temporarily the critical worker visa scheme is a reversal by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, which has tightened post-Brexit immigration rules insisting that Britain’s reliance on foreign labour must end.
In response, Shapps unveiled a package of measures late Saturday which he insisted would tackle short and long-term problems.