Ministers have warned about possible Christmas gift shortages, but they promised that there would still be turkeys for dinner.
Downing Street stated that supplies of iconic winter birds are safe due to efforts to alleviate a logistic crisis. However, other sectors will continue to experience problems.
Ministers discussed potential issues in supply chains with Boris Johnson at this morning’s Cabinet meeting on Downing Street.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in sales of frozen products due to fears about festive food shortages. Families are making contingency plans.
Official spokesman for the Prime Minister said that Stephen Barclay, Chancellor of Lancaster, spoke to ministers about his work on food supply issues. He stated that he was ‘noting the Government’s action had relieved concerns regarding possible turkey shortages during the Christmas season’.
However, when asked by the reporter if they could ensure there were Christmas gifts under the trees, the spokesperson said that the government was confident it would.
“Though individual sector may not be affected by these issues as is common in other countries, it’s still a good idea to keep your eyes open for them.”
Stephen Barclay the Chancellor of Lancaster spoke out to ministers regarding the work that he’s leading in issues such as food supply.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in sales of frozen products due to fears about festive food shortages. Families are making contingency plans.
According to the spokesperson, “We have the double challenge of dealing with the constant pressures that colder and wetter seasons can cause along with the added challenge of a global pandemic that is continuing and having knock-on consequences for global supply chains as well as energy supply.”
British Retail Consortium (BRC), warned that even though a “gargantuan effort” has been made to ensure essential foods and presents are available for Christmas, retailers are still ‘continued to be plagued by ongoing problems (in) supply chains.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, stated on Friday that labor shortages were pushing up prices as well as creating gaps in shelves.
Downing Street reported that Johnson addressed ministers during the Cabinet meeting and said that they should continue to collaborate with the sector on supply chain issues across the globe.
Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted the areas where additional resources were being put into to help prepare for winter. These included flood defences as well as the NHS.
Chris Whitty was the chief medical officer in England and he also agreed that it is important to be vigilant about flu and Covid over winter.
As militant French fishing barons pledged to destroy Britain’s economy in the last hours of December, skippers plotted a protest across Britain over licenses.
Olivier Lepretre was the Chairman of the Powerful Northern France Fisheries Committee and he made this threat following late night talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
M. Lepretre, without naming how exactly, said that skippers and trade unions would act within days to “hit the British economy” unless Downing Street made a deal.
He previously threatened to stop the channel tunnel and port of Calais from disgruntled French fishermen in the lead-up Christmas. This would halt the flow of goods on the continent.
Monsieur Lepretre stated in Boulogne sur-Mer that it was impossible to do anything which would harm France’s economy. We will not be able to serve British interests.
“Let them give the licenses to us. We will also cut their hair.