The lead story on the GHraun website is a classic example of blurring things together to make a political point. Almost the opposite of 'analysis rooted in authority and integrity' as it claims at tjhe foot of every story in its sad appeal for funds. Never one to pass up a chance for one last try, today's graun has this classically misleading headline:
Builders run short of supplies as UK port holdups raise Brexit concerns
Builders are running short of everything from power tools and screws to timber and roof tiles as the gridlock at UK ports holds up crucial deliveries and sets off alarm bells in the run-up to Brexit.
What has happened?
The UK’s ports have been grappling with a surge in freight volumes at a time when their ability to process it all is hindered by coronavirus restrictions....[Builders] have enjoyed bumper sales as locked-down Britons renovated their homes but were experiencing availability problems because they “can’t get materials in quicker”. The squeeze was also pushing up the price of goods.
So how to link all this to Brexit? Easy...
...the high level of demand has prevented the building trade from stockpiling in the run-up to Brexit....The situation was compounded by uncertainty surrounding the import taxes that will apply after Brexit, he added.
No doubt bad weather causes a crisis too, foreign uncertainties, speculation while ships are still at sea. Which ones are the most important though? Right at the end:
The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the equilibrium that usually exists in the maritime supply chain....UK businesses are reporting stratospheric increases in shipping costs, which are likely to add to the pressure on prices in the new year.
The consequences for DIY look bad enough, and the cost of getting a little man in to redecorate feature walls in fashionable dark grey might increase, but the final straw is
port delays [are] already causing shortages of popular toy sets such as Barbie
When will this barbarous onsluaght on cosmpolitan values and tolerance ever end?
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