Government could bring in fuel rationing

Fuel rationing could be brought in within the next few days, according to Business Secretary John Hutton.

• 2p petrol increase postponed

John Hutton insisted that the country had enough fuel to meet normal fuel demand, but that supplies would dwindle if motorists started to panic-buy.

But with experts warning it could take up to three weeks before supplies return to normal, panic buying has already started in some parts of the country.

Pat Watters, of the AA, said: “People should not be buying petrol in case they might need it, they should stick to their normal habits.”

Over the weekend there were claims of unleaded petrol hitting 129.9p a litre in Scotland, which equates to £5.85 a gallon!