AIBU to think the Gov cares more about petrol/the economy than food security?

[StatesOfMatter]

A few weeks ago we were hearing about food shortages linked to the lorry/supply chain issues and there was no action taken.

Suddenly now petrol is at risk of disruption (even only in a relatively small number of stations) the Gov are taking action - which isn’t a new request.

AIBU to think the Gov cares more about petrol and the impact that has on the economy then they do about food security and people going hungry?

This government - and Johnson in particular - cares about neither the food supply or the fuel situation. Their only interest is in their popularity ratings and their ability to attract the support of about 30% of the electorate in order to remain in power.

According to this morning's Daily Brexpress, we should all rejoice because Boris has "saved Christmas" by granting 5,000 HGV visas. There is no mention of the fact that he and his Brexit cheerleaders created the crisis in the first place, but he has been forced to act because his popularity has come under threat, and this time he's been unable to pin the blame on his favourite scapegoats - lefties, remainers, doomsters and gloomsters, and the EU.

Isn't it because there is plenty of alternatives regarding food, people wouldn't go hungry you just wouldn't get what you wanted for a while.

Surely it's because petrol shortages will further disrupt food production and almost every other service in the country.

@QuestionEverythingBaby

Isn't it because there is plenty of alternatives regarding food, people wouldn't go hungry you just wouldn't get what you wanted for a while.

Yes pretty much, an actual shortage of fuel (not the shortage that doesn't yet exist) has wider reaching implications than not having 10 types of custard creams in tesco. They have also subsidised the plants that create CO2 as a by product as to try to avoid shortages of products that use it.

Agree with pp but at the same time fuel underpins everything inc food.

@ForTheLoveOfSleep

Surely it's because petrol shortages will further disrupt food production and almost every other service in the country.

^This. Mot enough fuel +shortage of drivers = even less food stock delivered to stores

*not

They aren’t mutually exclusive issues. As others have said, fuel gets food to the shelves. It gets medical supplies to hospitals and pharmacies. Fuel underpins virtually everything.

I take the point on fuel underpinning everything however the solution the Government is now doing (visas for non-UK drivers) is something the food industry asked for weeks ago. If it had been actioned then some of the pressure now may be different. Essentially the government said ‘suck it up’ for food security and didn’t think of the bigger picture which may be my real gripe - but then the government not thinking long term is nothing new…

Just another example of a reactionary government