The crisis continues: the UK is already feared by a Christmas nightmare



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In the United Kingdom (United Kingdom) this week, there are warnings that many families in the country will not be able to serve a turkey on the Christmas table, and the toys left under Christmas trees may not be up to children’s expectations; there are significant delays. in the import of toys, bicycles and electronic devices.

According to major UK traders, such disruptions are entirely real, as the government has so far delayed taking urgent action and bringing in more workers from abroad. There is a particular shortage of truckers and workers in the food industry.

This year’s holidays may be different

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng admitted Wednesday that the fuel crisis, while already fading, could still ruin Christmas. Government reserve petrol trucks have already taken over UK roads and streets; they are still driven by civilians, but soon soldiers can also take the wheel.

Simon Clarke, chief secretary of the treasury department, says he is “absolutely certain” that the crisis caused by the truck driver shortage will be resolved before the end of the year.

“It just came to our notice then. We have seen large queues, but I think the situation is stabilizing. Gasoline is being transported to service stations,” K. Kwarteng said, although he admitted that he could not guarantee a normal Christmas.

However, Simon Clarke, chief secretary of the treasury department, says he is “absolutely certain” that the crisis caused by the truck driver shortage will be resolved before the end of the year.

Clarke denied that the problems were a consequence of Brexit. It is said that the critics who say so do not wish the country good, and 5,000 will solve all problems. visas for foreign drivers who will be invited to work for a period of three months.

“Yes, we are sure that we have the determination and the stamina. Of course, the situation will be facilitated by the short-stay visa program, but we are also committed to training future employees, this is very important for people in the country have the necessary skills, “explained the official.

However, the labor shortage is not limited to roads: the entire supply chain is disrupted. In addition, there is a shortage of workers in the social welfare and hospitality sectors.

Scanpix / AP photo / Paralyzed supply chains in British supermarkets

Scanpix / AP photo / Paralyzed supply chains in British supermarkets

“I think Christmas will be a nightmare for shoppers. There will be food on the supermarket shelves, but the choice will be bad.

The labor shortage means that farms will not be able to ship the usual number of turkeys to stores, and a lack of drivers will only compound the problem.

A lot of people hear who the hell is here at Christmas. It will not be a traditional Christmas. You will have to eat different meats, nuts. If the gas is not depleted, beer and lemonade will be lacking, and it will be expensive. Christmas will be much more expensive overall, ”said Clive Black, an analyst at Shore Capital.

Journalists have already noticed a lack of pasta and vegetables in central London Tesco stores in the middle of the week. The sign announced that the cabbage would run out until the end of October.

Scanpix / AP photo / Paralyzed supply chains in British supermarkets

Scanpix / AP photo / Supply chains stagnate in British supermarkets

Is the government capable of governing?

While conservatives defend themselves as much as possible, and polls show that the public tends to blame the media for the crisis rather than the rulers, the opposition and experts have no doubt that the disruption is related. with Brexit and the hit of the pandemic to the economy.

At least when it comes to fuel, the logical line is straight. Gasoline does not reach many service stations due to a shortage of gasoline drivers, but rather a shortage due to the fact that after Brexit and during the pandemic, many foreign workers returned to continental Europe and did not return.

Scanpix / AP photo / British businessmen ask for more truckers from abroad

Scanpix / AP photo / British businessmen ask for more truckers from abroad

“It is clear that Brexit is an important factor. Whether you voted for or against joining the EU, it was clear that we would have fewer truckers than when we left the EU,” said Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Workers opposition.

Black: The government has created a crisis that certainly could have been avoided. This has nothing to do with Brexit, it has to do with poor economic management.

It is true that he is very critical of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who, according to Starmer, does not guarantee the smooth functioning of the state after Brexit.

“The government is playing games, it is trying to solve a problem, but a new one is emerging immediately. It is the result of pathetic and tedious planning.” People know the difference between praise and real facts, and they see a government that just doesn’t. he can control or plan, “an opposition leader said Thursday.

Trade analyst Black, incidentally, agreed: “The government has created a crisis that certainly could have been avoided. It has nothing to do with Brexit, it has to do with poor economic management. “

„Scanpix“ / „PA Wire“ / „Press Association Images“ nuotr./Keiras Starmeris

„Scanpix“ / „PA Wire“ / „Press Association Images“ nuotr./Keiras Starmeris

“The government just doesn’t listen to business and acts only on the corner. It was incredibly stupid not to allow meat workers, fruit writers, truck drivers to enter the country.

The food industry explained to no avail what awaited us before it turned blue. I have spoken to some corporate executives who simply give up and no longer believe in the capabilities of this government.

5,000 visas. truckers – like a middle finger for companies, because 100,000 are missing. drivers, ”Black said.

Smart tactics that already work?

There is no doubt that Labor hopes that by seeing empty shelves and closed gas stations, voters will draw the appropriate conclusions about the competence of the Conservative government. Starmer has already said that people no longer believe in Johnson’s beliefs that everything will be fine.

ZUMAPRESS / Scanpix Photo / There is still a lack of fuel at many service stations in the UK

ZUMAPRESS / Scanpix Photo / There is still a lack of fuel at many service stations in the UK

However, there is a different opinion: that conservatives can really solve many problems quickly, but especially delays because they want to pressure employers in the most sensitive sectors.

The wages of the workers are really low and, although the wages have satisfied the Romanians, Poles or Lithuanians, the British refuse to work.

If a few months ago drivers were paid an average of more than £ 550 (€ 640) a week, the Waitrose chain is now offering a weekly pay of £ 1,590.

The government can’t force employers to offer higher wages, but it can create pressure, and if employers accused of greed make better offers to Britons in particular, the Conservatives will only win in the rankings.

The tactics really work. If a few months ago drivers were paid an average of £ 550 (€ 640) a week, the Waitrose chain now offers a weekly payment of £ 1,590; Progress is evident as even a common member of the House of Commons earns less.

Zuma Press / Photo by Scanpix / Boris Johnson

Zuma Press / Photo by Scanpix / Boris Johnson

A new paradox may also benefit conservatives: Foreigners who arrive on a three-month contract will be paid up to 20%. higher salary. While companies will no doubt explain that short-term contracts are always more expensive, the voter will definitely be surprised and resentful.

“No conservative politician will acknowledge this publicly, but certainly some of them are not happy at all, but simply triumph over the lack of manpower. They see an opportunity for the so-called Torah revolution: higher wages for those who earn less. .

Entrepreneurs, as conservatives do not doubt, are demanding that migrants continue to be able to pay them little. But Boris Johnson is calm. Power shifts from employers to workers, and conservatives can really win here: They can present themselves as blue-collar workers advocates.

They can send a simple message: that Brexit means tighter border controls, which translates to higher wages for people in the UK, “commentator Fraser Nelson wrote in The Daily Telegraph on Friday.



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