Wednesday April 1st 2026
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Fears over how “escalating geopolitical tensions” will impact fuel supply and front line services in Glasgow have been raised by a local councillor.
Drumchapel/Anniesland councillor Paul Carey BEM has written to the city council’s chief executive to ask what the local authority is doing to mitigate the associated risks of rising fuel costs and supply demand.
Councillor Carey’s letter highlights how the ongoing conflict in Iran has led to significant increases in oil, gas and electricity and the council needs contingency measures in place to ensure local services can continue if prices keep rising.
The letter asks what plans are in place to ensure critical frontline services, including social care, education (particularly heating of the school estate), waste collection, and housing services are not affected.
Anniesland/Drumchapel councillor Paul Carey BEM said: “It is astonishing if no one hasn’t thought of this – what is plan B if this war continues in the middle east?
“It is going to affect us at some point so will we keep front line services, emergency services and cleansing services going forward?”
“If they stop, the rubbish piles up and it leads to health and safety issues and rats running around the streets. It could also affect front line services in home care.
“If there is no plan B then why not as this is going to affect not just councils in Scotland but everything from shopping for food to fuel costs.
“It is really frightening. I went to Asda this morning at Robroyston and four pumps had shut down because they were waiting for fuel delivery.
“How are teachers going to get to school, how are parents going to drop their kids off? How are doctors and nurses going to get to their patients?
“It is horrific when you think of it.”
GMB cleansing convenor Chris Mitchell says if there’s no fuel, then there’s no vehicles and no bins getting emptied.
He said: “I think the council needs to look at what they are physically going to do as there are shortages and you can quite clearly see that.
“We need the vehicles to operate. If they don’t then unfortunately the bins won’t get emptied – it’s as simple as that.
“I don’t know what position we are going to find ourselves in. If we don’t have fuel to operate then no one is getting their service, it is as simple as that.
“It is a worrying time for everyone and there are health and safety implications associated with this as well. If rubbish lies for a couple of days it is a disaster zone.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has reassured residents UK wide that petrol stations are well-stocked nationally and there will not be fuel rationing.
There is a diverse and resilient supply and both the AA and Fuels Industry UK have been clear that fuel production and imports are continuing across the UK as usual, with no issues being reported.
A spokesperson said: “Families and businesses will be worried about the impact of conflict in the Middle East here at home. The government is determined to fight people’s corner.
“Thanks to our decisions the energy price cap is falling by £117 at the start of April, with savings locked in until the end of June, and £150 off for six million of the poorest families through the Warm Homes Discount.
“We are working to end this conflict as soon as possible, but whatever happens we’ll take the necessary action to tackle the affordability crisis.”
Glasgow City Council declined to comment.
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