Councils urged not to use ‘panic’ phrase

The Cabinet Office has advised councils not to use the phrases ‘panic’ or ‘panic buying’ when discussing fuel supply problems.

Documents seen by the BBC show that the government department’s Behavioural Science Team also advised against using language that morally judges people buying petrol.

Saying that it worked ‘closely with councils on communications to encourage a co-ordinated response’, the government advice sent to local authorities comes after days of long queues at petrol stations which began after fears a lorry driver shortage would hit fuel supplies triggered a surge in demand.

The document, labelled ‘considerations for local authorities’, explains that people don't recognise their own behaviour as ‘panic buying’ and that the use of such phrases can cause panic which can become contagious. Instead it recommends using phrases like ‘filling up earlier than usual’ or ‘changed patterns in demand’.

The advice also says councils could encourage petrol stations to take down signs saying that ‘abuse will not be tolerated’, which could lead customers to expect confrontation on arrival.