[Mick]

Panic buying starts in Scotland
BRITAIN is set for a fuel crisis as filling stations start to run dry ahead of an oil refinery strike.

Petrol supplies ran low last night ahead of the two-day action set to start tomorrow. Several garages in Scotland were running dry as drivers stocked up.

Others have been forced to ration fuel or close pumps as motorists panic buy.

Up to 1,200 workers at the Grangemouth refinery near Falkirk are set to walk out in a row over pensions. Owners Ineos last night closed the plant ahead of the action.

And BP warned the strike could force them to close a route that supplies 30% of the UK’s oil output. The Forties pipeline relies on electricity and steam from Grangemouth to bring in 700,000 barrels a day from the North Sea.


Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said the pipeline was “crucial” and warned that motorists could be affected.


He said: “I cannot guarantee that every garage forecourt will have petrol. I hope the vast majority of people are sensible about this.”


But it is feared the action could spark a repeat of the 2000 fuel protests.


A Downing Street spokesman said there supplies will last but added: “Increasing demand could potentially cause problems for those who need fuel.”


The Grangemouth dispute has escalated from a bitter row over pensions. Up to 1,200 workers are set to walk out of the giant Scottish oil refinery for 48 hours tomorrow after failing to strike a deal with owners Ineos.

Their Union, Unite, wants the same final salary pension deal for new workers that has been offered to all existing staff.