Transport minister Keir Mather said Britain’s supply of diesel was “robust” and “resilient” and the country had a wide range of sources.
asserted
country → say → sources
Britain joined crisis talks with Brussels on Thursday, as they discussed whether to release fuel stocks amid rocketing prices.
asserted
they → join → prices
The price of a litre of diesel reached a record £2 in the UK for the first time, according to figures from the RAC.
uncertain
price → reach → RAC
US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said European countries should “immediately” begin to use their reserves.
asserted
countries → say → reserves
Diesel prices have soared in recent months because of the disruption to global supplies caused by the US-Israel war against Iran and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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prices → soar → Russia
The UK imports nearly 55% of its diesel.
asserted
UK → import → diesel
The US provides nearly a third of that amount.
asserted
US → provide → amount
“We have resilience built into our system for that reason.
asserted
We → have → reason
“We are working very closely with our US counterparts to stress the importance of that relationship, and the importance of sustaining flows of diesel around the world, but also working through international fora in the International Energy Agency and partners in Europe from whom we get a proportion of our diesel imports as well.”
asserted
we → work → imports
He added: “Although prices have gone up at the pump, the Government is aware of that and the freeze in fuel duty is still in place.
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freeze → add → place
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“People shouldn’t be concerned about shortages because of the inherent resilience that is built into that system.”
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that → read → system
The average price of a litre of diesel in the UK hit a record high of 200.01p on Friday, according to figures compiled by the RAC.
uncertain
price → hit → RAC
The RAC’s head of policy Simon Williams said the price rises are showing “no signs” of slowing down.
asserted
rises → say → signs
He said: “The cost of filling up an average family car is now £110, almost £32 more than it was at the start of the US and Iran war.
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it → say → war
“This will be very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles, from commuters, haulage and delivery firms, businesses with large fleets all the way through to sole traders.
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that → drive → traders
“In a cruel twist, it’s diesel vehicles, which were once considered the most cost-effective option for lengthy journeys, that are now burning a hole in people’s pockets.”
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that → ’ → pockets
The UK, as a member of the International Energy Agency, is required to keep oil stocks equal to at least 90 days of net oil imports in reserve.
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UK → require → reserve
It is thought these can be used to respond to severe supply disruptions in the global market.
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these → think → market
Mr Trump has said he was “thinking” about introducing a ban on exports of US diesel.
asserted
he → say → diesel
This would force Britain to compete with other countries for an alternative.
asserted
This → force → alternative
In a post on X on Thursday, Mr Bessent said: “Our European partners should accelerate delivery on their existing commitments and make additional supplies immediately available to address ongoing disruptions.
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supplies → say → disruptions
“American farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden of a global diesel shortage.
asserted
farmers → leave → shortage
America is doing its part.
asserted
America → do → part
“We look to our allies to match their commitments with action.”
asserted
We → look → action
EU member states will meet the European Commission on Friday to discuss the issue.
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states → meet → issue
Mr Mather was asked by Nick Ferrari on LBC whether he agreed with Mr Trump about Europe using their diesel reserves.
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Europe → ask → reserves
He said: “We’re working closely with our European partners on diesel supply.
asserted
We → say → supply
It means we’re continuing those discussions about how we retain our resilience and robustness of our supply chains.
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we → mean → chains
“President Trump is welcome to make those comments, we’ve got to focus here at home about ensuring that we have diversity of supply into our economy.
asserted
we → make → economy
“Our European partners are absolutely central to that, particularly the flows of diesel coming through the Netherlands.”
asserted
partners → come → Netherlands
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