‘Do not panic-buy’ motorists urged
Drivers are being urged to buy only the fuel they need as more than 600 tanker drivers begin a four-day strike.
The drivers, who work for two companies delivering fuel to Shell forecourts in the UK, walked out at 0600 BST.
Last-minute talks aimed at resolving the dispute ended without agreement when the Unite union rejected an improved pay offer.
Shell said it had contingency plans in place but admitted some of its 1,000 petrol stations might run out of fuel.
Unite said the improved pay offer from Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, who employ the drivers, was “not sufficient”.
The employers said their latest offer would take drivers’ average earnings to about £41,500, up from the current average salary of £36,500.
Gold Madness
The value of gold has been going through the roof. Its price has quadrupled since 1999, and in March this year it reached $1,000 an ounce for the first time.
With uncertainty in the markets and turmoil in the banks, more and more people are turning to gold.
“Since the financial crisis erupted last August, there’s been a flood of investment into gold, really because of its safe haven properties,” says Jill Leyland, economic advisor to the World Gold Council.
“Gold is no one’s liability and that means it is the ultimate defence against unforeseen contingencies.”