Expert comment: Could petrol rationing become a reality for the UK?

“Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, fears of fuel shortages have been dominating the media recently, sparking speculation around dinner tables across the UK.

While global oil and gas shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are under pressure due to military threats, there is currently no need to be concerned about any possibility of fuel shortages or rationing at UK petrol stations because of this. The ongoing conflict is extremely unlikely to cause major problems for UK fuel supplies.

The UK imports oil from a mix of European, African, and Middle Eastern sources, though the proportions vary year to year. Oil from the Middle East accounts for only around 12% of total imports, with the majority coming from Norway and the US.

The main risk to UK forecourts is not the actual availability of fuel, but the effects of panic buying. If the public genuinely believes that petrol rationing is imminent, sudden spikes in demand could create temporary shortages, not because of a lack of fuel, but due to the time needed to refine and distribute it.

It is worth remembering that the last time the UK came close to petrol rationing was during the 1973 crisis. The government prepared ration coupons, but they were never fully implemented. The key message when buy your petrol in the UK today is simple: keep calm and carry on as usual.”