Letters / Hollowed out and asleep at the wheel
The UK seems to be asleep at the wheel, while other countries are being proactive in trying to deal with potential shortages arising from the war in Iran which started in late February.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil travels is too dangerous for oil tankers so there is a blockage. There are emergency measures being taken in relation to fuel shortages in other parts of the world.
China will not allow any oil to be exported, Ireland has cut fuel duty and the National Oil Reserves levy on home heating oil, the Philippines with diesel and petrol prices doubling has declared a national emergency, cut the week for civil servants to a four day week, has reduced ferry services, they are looking to build up an oil stockpile, but their President says nothing is off the table. Thailand is slightly more relaxed, they have lowered set limits for air conditioning and have asked people to take their jackets off!
Meanwhile diesel shortages are expected in the UK in late April suggests investment bank Panmure Liberum, leading to rationing for ordinary drivers, with critical sectors such as health and food delivery prioritised. Fuel could be sold during limited hours, and speed limits lowered to lower consumption. A shortage of jet fuel is also an issue.
Ellen Fraser, energy expert at the consultancy Baringa, said “sensible measures”, such as encouraging people to work from home and cancelling some domestic flights should be considered.
Scotland is unable to react to the situation as energy is a London responsibility. While London allowed Grangemouth oil refinery to shut last year, it then bailed out one of four refineries in England!
This left Scotland with 20 per cent less fuel, and with 97 per cent less aviation fuel.
There are plans to help vulnerable people with heating oil issues, but Scotland has 34 per cent fuel poverty compared to England at 11 per cent, part of this is down to UK energy policy which sees Scotland having to pay higher bills than customers in England.
All this while Scotland is self-sufficient in energy oil, gas, and renewables!
The problem is the phycology of JIT (just In Time) which has been widely adopted, keep stock at a low level, re-order as and when needed, which would be fine if the stock does not come from far away, a reminder of JIT’s last failure was when the Suez Canal was blocked, and trade delays increased substantially.
This situation also highlights that the UK has been hollowed out as a manufacturing base, so much has to be imported! Rationing, quaintly described as “volume measures”, would make ordinary life tricky in rural areas in Shetland, while public transport is not good for shift workers.
Brian Nugent
Alliance to Liberate Scotland candidate in Shetland
Alliance to Liberate Scotland candidate in the Highland and Islands region
