Fuel Crisis - General Council Statement.

General Council Statement

FUEL CRISIS

The blockades of Britain's vital fuel supplies are causing enormous disruption to the economy. There are very serious threats to essential services food supplies and to thousands of jobs.

The blockades are not a legitimate form of industrial action but a challenge to democracy and a crude attempt to hold the country to ransom.

While we share concern about high fuel prices, decisions about fuel taxation cannot be taken without regard for the Government's revenues and spending as a whole.

The blockades are an unconstitutional and unlawful attempt to bully the Government into submission. They must not succeed.

Faced with actions of this sort, it is the Government's responsibility to ensure free movement of people, goods and services and, in particular, to safeguard the operation of the essential services. The General Council express full support for the Government in meeting that responsibility and call on union members to work normally.

The General Council are therefore fully backing the Prime Minister's strong call for the immediate and full resumption of oil deliveries before further serious damage is done to the country. The blockades should stop and normal life resume.