UK’S £700m plan for Brexit borders
MORE than £700 million is to be spent on building new infrastructure, hiring staff and developing technology to ensure Britain’s border systems are fully operational when the UK leaves the EU at the end of the year.
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the major investment would ensure traders and the border industry are able to ‘manage the changes and seize the opportunities’ when the transition period ends in December.
The £705 million package includes £235 million for staffing and IT, and £470 million for port and inland infrastructure to ensure compliance with new customs controls.
New border infrastructure will be built inland where there is no space at ports, while ports will get one-off financial support to ensure the right infrastructure is in place.
Of the £235 million for staffing and IT systems: • £100 million will be used to develop
HMRC systems to reduce the burden on traders. • £20 million will be spent on new equipment to keep the country safe.
• £15 million will go towards building new data infrastructure to enhance border flow and management. • £10 million will be used to recruit
around 500 more Border Force personnel.
The funding relates only to the implementation of the GB-EU border, and the Government is expected to publish specific guidance and measures for Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.
Mr Gove said: “We are taking back control of our borders, and leaving the single market and the customs union at the end of this year, bringing changes and significant opportunities for which we need to prepare.
“That is why we are announcing this major package of investment.
“With or without further agreement with the EU, this £705 million will ensure that the necessary infrastructure, tech and border personnel are in place so that our traders and the border industry are able to manage the changes and seize the opportunities as we lay the foundations for the world’s most effective and secure border.”
The transition period is set to end at the end of December 2020, when the UK will leave the single market and customs union.
The funding package comes ahead of a public information campaign in which guidance will be given to traders and hauliers explaining what they may need to do to prepare for the end of the transition period.
Mr Gove said “progress is being made” on a trade deal with the EU, but that differences between the two sides still remain.
He insisted that Britain’s borders would be ready by the end of the transition period, despite concern expressed by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss. Mr Gove told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “Everyone in Government wants to make sure our departure from the EU is a success.”