Leonard T. Koonce 
(Update 1: adds quotes from Prime Minister Boris Johnson)
London, Oct. 4 (EFE) .- Around 200 British Army soldiers began distributing fuel to service stations in the UK on Monday, due to a shortage of truck drivers that has strained the supply chains of the country.
The UK’s current driver shortage of around 100,000 workers has contributed to shortages in its grocery stores and fuel pumps.
The soldiers, who had been on high alert since last week, will first focus on the worst affected areas of London and southern England, in an operation originally designed to deal with the shortages potential following the country’s exit from the European Union in January. 2020, said a government spokesperson.
Last week the government announced it would offer 5,000 temporary work visas to European drivers to help cover the shortage, which is also being felt on the continent but is particularly acute in the UK due to additional regulatory complications related to Brexit.
The spokesperson noted that “there are signs of improvement in the average stock level” at service stations and “demand continues to stabilize”.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday the way forward for the UK was to increase wages for jobs in industry.
“What we want to see are high paying, highly skilled jobs and I think companies are doing a fantastic job investing in learning, in skills, and this is the way forward for the UK “he told broadcasters.
“On things like the trucking industry, the right thing to do is make work more attractive, invest in truck stops and also invest in higher wages,” Johnson added.
On Sunday, the prime minister said he would not resort to “uncontrolled immigration” to fill the labor shortage, which is also affecting other sectors such as agriculture and hospitality.
