UK suspends competition law to cut petrol station queues

The UK Government on Monday temporarily suspended rules under its Competition Act to allow fuel companies to address a supply crisis, which has led to long queues at several petrol stations across the country.

Known as the Downstream Oil Protocol, the step will allow the government to work with fuel producers, suppliers, hauliers and retailers to ensure that disruption is minimised as far as possible.

The measure will make it easier for the fuel industry to share information so that they can more easily prioritise the delivery of fuel to the parts of the country and strategic locations that are most in need.

“We have long-standing contingency plans in place to work with industry so that fuel supplies can be maintained and deliveries can still be made in the event of a serious disruption,” said UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.