PEOPLE and businesses have been urged to start making contingency plans ahead of an expected strike by fuel tanker drivers this Easter.

The UK Government last night did little to quell the threat of panic buying of fuel as a spokeswoman revealed it was looking at liaising with the Scottish Government to minimise disruption if the strike took place next week in the run-up to the busy holiday period.

She also said Army drivers, lined up to take over from striking commercial drivers, would not have had the eight days to complete the necessary training. All options were being considered, she added, including bringing in foreign drivers.

Asked if motorists should rush to petrol stations to fill up their tanks in the wake of Monday's vote for industrial action, the spokeswoman said: "People should draw their own conclusions. Businesses and those who rely on vehicles for their work should ensure contingency plans are in place. It is always prudent to have contingency plans."

Pressed whether she could be accused of encouraging panic buying, the spokeswoman replied: "Currently, there is no strike; fuel is being delivered to forecourts. We are doing all we can to prepare contingency plans."

Asked if people should cancel their Easter trips, she said: "People should be aware there is potential for disruption."

She stressed the Government's message to both sides in the dispute – which is over terms and conditions and health and safety standards – was that they should "get round the table and don't threaten the nation with economic disruption".

Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office Minister, told the Cabinet yesterday the Government had "learned from the lessons of the past" and was now in discussions about training soldiers to drive civilian tankers during any stoppage.

In the autumn of 2000, Tony Blair's Government wobbled for several days as truckers blockaded refineries in protest at rising fuel prices. The country was brought to a standstill with queues at petrol stations and panic buying in the shops.

Some 2000 members of the Unite union, working at seven companies, were balloted for the first national campaign of action for more than a decade. Those at five firms supported a walkout.

The five firms deliver fuel to Esso and Shell forecourts as well as supermarkets such as Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Unite drivers supply fuel to 90% of petrol stations. There are fears as many as 8000 forecourts could be hit by industrial action, potentially bringing the country to a standstill over Easter.

Yesterday, Diana Holland for Unite said: "This is not about pay. This is about ensuring high safety and training standards are maintained, so that our communities are safe."

The Downing Street spokeswoman explained HGV training in the Army was going on as normal but that soldiers would have to undergo a further eight days of training to be able to drive the commercial vehicles in question. This had not yet started, she admitted.

Other options were also being considered because there were not enough military personnel to cover the whole of the distribution network, she added.

Yesterday's ministerial meeting on the potential strike was the fourth to consider "resilience measures".

The No 10 spokeswoman said the Government's contingency plans included ensuring emergency services were in a good position should there be an impact on fuel distribution but she refused to say if this meant fuel was being stockpiled.

Last night, Labour leader Ed Miliband called for the industrial action to be stopped, saying: "We must avoid strike action at all costs and the right way to do that is by both sides getting round the table and negotiating. That's what the Government should be urging, that's what I'm urging, and that's what the Confederation of British Industry is urging."