SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Sunak: Ministers doing all we can to fix supplies for shops

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that shoppers can be reassured ministers are doing absolutely everything they can to fix supply chain issues in the UK.

Several retailers have recently warned of potential shortages during the Christmas shopping season.

Speaking to the BBC at the end of G7 meetings in Washington, Sunak blamed global factors for delays seen at ports such as Felixstowe.

It comes as G7 finance ministers agreed to join efforts to address the issues.

Sunak said: “I’m confident there’ll be a good amount of Christmas presents available for everyone to buy.”

His comments came after a container logjam at ports, including Felixstowe, and a shortage of HGV lorry drivers has sparked concerns among businesses, ahead of the most important period of the year for retail spending.

On Wednesday, the UK’s largest commercial port said the supply chain crisis has caused a logjam of shipping containers.

The Port of Felixstowe, which handles 36% of the UK’s freight container traffic, blamed the busy pre-Christmas period and haulage shortages.

However, it said the situation has been enhancing over the last few days.

Meanwhile, shipping giant Maersk told the BBC it was rerouting some of its biggest ships away from the port.

    Source:
  • BBC NEWS