At gas stations, there’s fuel rationing and hours-long lineups. At the supermarket, there’s sometimes no milk or meat, and warnings that Christmas turkeys may be unavailable – along with Christmas trees and many popular toys. Building materials are so scarce that construction sites have shut down.

The decision to limit immigration at a time of severe market shortages of drivers has escalated a squeeze into a crisis.

Ministers are saying “this won’t be as bad as the winter of discontent”. I dread to think what they’ll promise next.