The Prime Minister accepted how “frustrating and infuriating” the shortages have been, but stressed “supplies are coming back”. He said: “I want to say first of all how much I sympathise with people who have been worried about their journeys. “Worried about whether they’ll be able to use their cars in a normal way to see their loved ones or whatever it is, and I know how frustrating and infuriating it must have been to worry about a shortage of petrol or fuel.

       "We now are starting to see the situation improve: We’re hearing from the industry that supplies are coming back onto the forecourts in the normal way.

       “I would really urge everybody to go about their business in the normal way and fill up in the normal way when you really need it. And things will start to improve.

       “All we want to do is to make sure that we have all the preparations necessary to get through till Christmas and beyond, not just in supplying petrol stations but in all parts of our supply chain.”

       READ MORE: David Lammy labelled a 'simpleton' for outrageous fuel shortage claim

       Sky News' Sam Coates pressed the Prime Minister on the shortages, and questioned why he is unclear when the supply issues will end.

       He said: “You did say this would be short-term. Now you're saying this could be a problem to Christmas and beyond.”

       Mr Johnson said: “I don’t want you to put words in my mouth here, we want to make sure that as the economy continues to recover, that as we continue to see global recoveries suck in demand of all types, that the UK is prepared.

       “That’s why we’ve done what we have done on relaxing competition laws, and making sure we have drivers available.”

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