The UK government is taking steps to prevent public concern regarding fuel availability, emphasizing that the nation is not experiencing a diesel shortage despite recent threats from Donald Trump to restrict US diesel exports.
Transport Minister Keir Mather assured the public on Friday that the UK has ample diesel sources and is currently in discussions with European nations about the possibility of tapping into emergency diesel reserves. “I want to reassure people that they can continue to fill up their vehicles with diesel because our supply chain is robust,” Mather stated during an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. He highlighted that diesel is imported from various sources, contributing to the system’s resilience. The government is committed to collaborating closely with European partners and US officials to emphasize the importance of maintaining diesel supplies to the UK.
The UK imports approximately 30% of its diesel from the United States, with the majority originating from mainland Europe. The nation also has reserve supplies sufficient for 42 days.
This week, it was reported that Fawley, the UK’s largest refinery located in Hampshire, is scheduled to undergo planned maintenance and will be offline for up to ten weeks. The UK’s refining capacity has significantly decreased from 18 refineries in the 1980s to just four today.
On Thursday, the UK initiated discussions with European allies regarding the release of emergency diesel stocks. This action follows an ultimatum from the Trump administration urging Germany and France to utilize their reserves to mitigate rising prices or risk facing a US supply embargo.
According to the RAC, the average cost for a litre of diesel in the UK reached a record high of 199.72p on Wednesday. Mather acknowledged the rising prices but reassured that the government is aware of the situation and that the freeze on fuel duty remains in effect. “People should not worry about shortages due to the inherent resilience of our fuel system,” he stated.
The government has prolonged the 5p reduction in fuel duty until the end of the year. The RAC has called for the continuation of this freeze into the spring. “We need to provide support where possible,” Mather remarked on GMB. “The government has the means to act, which is why we currently have a fuel duty freeze in place. The Chancellor will address future measures in the upcoming budget, and he is fully cognizant of the impact that high prices have on the public.”
On Friday, Dan Jørgensen, the EU energy commissioner, noted that Europe is evaluating the option of releasing emergency diesel reserves in coordination with all members of the International Energy Agency, not just the US. “This is one of the opportunities we have; we have utilized it in the past, and it is likely we will do so again,” he expressed in an interview with Euronews.
