Minister: Calm down at the shops or risk rationing

Environment Secretary George Eustice yesterday urged the public to shop responsibly and refused to rule out rationing.

He said yesterday that people need to “calm down” and “only buy what they need”.

Panic buyers across Britain have been stripping supermarket shelves, forcing companies to restrict the sale of items such anti-bacterial wipes, dried pasta and toilet roll to customers. Asked if he could rule out the possibility of rationing or ration books, Mr Eustice said that supermarkets were best placed to judge what stock item limits should be put in place.

“There’s no shortage of food. Food manufacturing has geared up to meet an increase in demand and it is up by 50%.” Many stores have made the first hour of opening for the elderly but there have been angry scenes amid empty shelves at many stores around Scotland. NHS England national medical director Stephen Powis said the country should be “ashamed” that key medical staff were left unable to buy food at the end of their shifts.

He referred to a video posted online by a critical care nurse in tears after she was unable to find anything to buy to eat at the end of her shift. He said: “Frankly we should all be ashamed that that has to happen. These are the very people we will all need to look after perhaps us or our loved ones in the weeks ahead.” Meanwhile, the “overwhelming majority” of Scots have complied with advice and are staying away from pubs, clubs and restaurants, the country’s most senior police officer said.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone thanked all those who had followed the guidance, issued by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He said: “I would like to thank the overwhelming majority of people who are already complying for their assistance and co-operation.”