Fuel shortage?

[SHAUNE55]

It's not an extra day though, is it? It's just an arbitrary adjustment for the fact that every year consists of roughly 365.25 days. Next you'll be telling me that the government makes more in May than it does in April, due to the extra day... it doesn't matter - it all averages out.

What about the extra bank holidays last year and this - do they increase or descrease the government's tax take?

The reason for a leap year is that as you quite rightly say there are 365.25 days in a year and we can't have a quarter of a day, so we give ourselves an extra day every 4 years.
The reasons for picking February to add a day on rather than any other month is another issue.
As for bank holidays?....That would vary, shorter opening of shops but more people go to theme parks, buy more petrol to get there, stay in the pub all day...Whatever people choose to do, but apart from people who stay at home it usually involves spending money.
So it could very well increase the revenue.

 

[Alfajock]

Given fixed duty per litre, overall revenue is determined by consumption, not just purchase at the beginning. The threat of strikes may increase revenue for a given period due to panic buying, but reduce it afterward whilst that fuel is used up. People are more likely to conserve their fuel (where possible) if future supply is uncertain, and either not incur at least some journeys or use alternative means where possible. Unless they find a new means of taxing bicycles, I think the overall tax take therefore decreases as a result of the dispute and the conspiracy theorists are a tad wide of the mark.

Though Len Mclusky could indeed be an alien.

 

[WillDeBeest]

It's not an extra day though, is it? It's just an arbitrary adjustment for the fact that every year consists of roughly 365.25 days.

It felt like an extra day to me! I went to work (for nothing, since my salary is calculated for a year, not a day), incurred all the costs I usually incur for things I do every day - eating, heating, driving, shoe leather - and paid the VAT due on those amounts.
I suppose you could argue this is payback for the three quarter-days off I've had in non-leap years, and that I'll get an extra day off this year in June But yes, all other things being equal (which of course they never are) the government will take more tax in a 366-day year than in a 365-day one.

 

[Deleted member 55947]

As an aside can anyone remember the details of the fuel rationing in the 70's. How much fuel was allowed, who was entitled, how did it affect busniness's etc

 

[markjay]

On Radio 4 this morning they said that the government is asking motorists 'not to panic buy fuel', but 'to be prudent and make sure they have a full tank of fuel over the next week or so'.

So.... the message is: Do not drive into the petrol station and brake sharply in front of the pump, then rush out of the car, slam the door behind you, and fill-up while shouting and waving your arms agitatedly in the air. No. Instead, glide into the petrol station slowly, bring the car gently to a halt, then take a few deep breaths, relax (Radio 3 will help), and finally slowly leave the vehicle, and then prudently fill it up to the brim while keeping very calm.






There are times when I think it would be better if the government made no comment at all...

 

[WillDeBeest]

There are silver linings - for us anyway. My Durham-based inlaws are due to spend a week with us in the Easter hols. This is part of a grand tour that takes in other branches of the family on Suffolk and Gloucestershire.

They've decided to do a panic non-buy and to cancel the whole thing on the assumption that by then there'll be no fuel anywhere. They have to do it now because of hotel reservations they need to cancel (although what kind of hotel won't let you cancel up to the day before, I've no idea.)

This is just how they are - they do love a drama and they won't listen to alternative suggestions for making the best of the situation. Children are disappointed - and I have to pretend to be.

 

[grober]

One of the things I find annoying is that a least a couple of the larger companies involved in this dispute are non British. Fuel tanker drivers vote for action - Home News - UK - The Independent Although many of tankers are decked out in the livery of the large oil companies they are part of vehicle fleet owned by independant European transport companies. e.g. History - HOYER: tank container, IBC, bulk logistics – Extract from History
and
Norbert Dressangle
Norbert Dentressangle, transportation, logistics and freight forwarding european leader. who seem to be doing OK according to this dude?
François Bertreau Interview - 2011 Annual Results - UK news - United Kingdom - Norbert Dentressangle

So we have what is essentially an industrial dispute between 2 parties which threatens the economic well being of the country and may end up inconveniencing many of us. Greedy tanker drivers or greedy multinationals/private transport companies--- who knows? All I hope is that in attempting to mediate the government puts as much pressure on the foreign companies as the unions to bring this dispute to a conclusion before we descend into RAF Squaddies being pressed into defending European multinational's profit margins while we all queue at the pumps.


here's Len McCluskey's take from the driver's side

All striking tanker drivers want is responsible minimum standards | Len McCluskey | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

 

[silver_star]

There are silver linings - for us anyway. My Durham-based inlaws are due to spend a week with us in the Easter hols. This is part of a grand tour that takes in other branches of the family on Suffolk and Gloucestershire.

They've decided to do a panic non-buy and to cancel the whole thing on the assumption that by then there'll be no fuel anywhere. They have to do it now because of hotel reservations they need to cancel (although what kind of hotel won't let you cancel up to the day before, I've no idea.)

This is just how they are - they do love a drama and they won't listen to alternative suggestions for making the best of the situation. Children are disappointed - and I have to pretend to be.

You won't be able to put it off forever

 

[AbbieCadabra]

i filled up the E350 yesterday, only half a tank needed but i'm sure the price has gone up recently by at least 2p/L, now £143.9 for diesel.

it was busy yesterday & the petrol stations i've noticed today all had queues, but then i did notice 'fuel - panic buying starts' as a headline on one of the newspapers, so what can you expect!

anyhoo, i'm off out again now for another hour or so in the sunshine with the roof down - i say 'pah!' to shortages & panic, who cares, i'm getting about 40mpg at the moment! this machine is just awesome

 

[A210AMG]

Father inlaw just filled his ML up,

A few stations ran out already on the wirral

He ended up in a que behind 30 other people.

 

[WillDeBeest]

You won't be able to put it off forever

Won't stop me trying. How much do you think I'd need to buy to keep the panic going all summer? I'll have a word at the bank.

 

[davidjpowell]

One of the things I find annoying is that a least a couple of the larger companies involved in this dispute are non British. Fuel tanker drivers vote for action - Home News - UK - The Independent Although many of tankers are decked out in the livery of the large oil companies they are part of vehicle fleet owned by independant European transport companies. e.g. History - HOYER: tank container, IBC, bulk logistics – Extract from History
and
Norbert Dressangle
Norbert Dentressangle, transportation, logistics and freight forwarding european leader. who seem to be doing OK according to this dude?
François Bertreau Interview - 2011 Annual Results - UK news - United Kingdom - Norbert Dentressangle

So we have what is essentially an industrial dispute between 2 parties which threatens the economic well being of the country and may end up inconveniencing many of us. Greedy tanker drivers or greedy multinationals/private transport companies--- who knows? All I hope is that in attempting to mediate the government puts as much pressure on the foreign companies as the unions to bring this dispute to a conclusion before we descend into RAF Squaddies being pressed into defending European multinational's profit margins while we all queue at the pumps.


here's Len McCluskey's take from the driver's side

All striking tanker drivers want is responsible minimum standards | Len McCluskey | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

Interesting. Brother in Law used to drive a tanker, and gave it up to start his own carpet cleaning business.

He was plenty peeved after a previous employer decided that they were dropping out of the contract he was on - they were not making money due to mainly expensive equipment failures. He did have one helpful failure after a bearing failed on the tractor unit very close to some services. He limped the few hundred yards, making plenty of noise, straight into the middle of a VOSA inspection.

He ended up on the same contract same hours for a lot less dosh, It looks like he may not have been alone.

 

[markjay]

Interestingly, a spokesman for the fuel retailers association said on the radio today that sales were up 47% yesterday for petrol (mostly private vehicles), and 20% for diesel (mostly commercial/business vehicles).

The representative from the hauliers association explained that in most cases commercial vehicles can't really hoard up fuel - they use a tank a day anyway so there is no room for 'filling-up even though it is not empty yet', which drivers of private vehicles can do.

 

[Benzmanc]

We've just had a delivery in the yard. 50,000 litres should do for a bit

 

[mika]

No queues in Ashford
just filled up the w124
in fact the petrol station was empty
and they had stock of d*esel

 

[Dryce]

Interestingly, a spokesman for the fuel retailers association said on the radio today that sales were up 47% yesterday for petrol (mostly private vehicles), and 20% for diesel (mostly commercial/business vehicles).

All a plot to pull in more fuel duty to boost HMG figures for FY 2011/12.

 

[ucr]

Fuel sold out today in Leigton Buzzard

 

[Dieselman]

Just been to the local Shell station and there was no unleaded at all.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Just been to the local Shell station and there was no unleaded at all.

Shell in Chipping Norton had no V-Power yesterday. Had to go with Esso instead.

 

[mika]

I will check again tomorrow
maybe that was an exception in Ashford
things seem to be tightening up