400m customs declarations a year extra in new border checks

AN EXTRA 400 million customs declarations could have to be issued a year under new border controls imposed in the postBrexit era.

The figure, which has been disclosed from sources, came as the Government insisted Britain will have the “most secure” border in the world by 2025.

With Britain set to quit the Brexit transition period by the end of the year, the full tracking of vehicle movements will not be in place until next July, it is understood.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, said business needs to be ready for the UK becoming an independent trading nation for the first time in nearly half a century when the Brexit transition period is scheduled to finish at the end of the year.

More than £700m is to be spent on new infrastructure, hiring staff and developing technology to ensure that Britain’s border systems are fully operational when the UK leaves the EU at the end of the year, Mr Gove said.

The Government insists the border operating model it has announced gives “clarity” to firms.

Mr Gove said: “The publication of the border operating model is an important step which gives business the certainty and direction they need to prepare for the end of the transition period when the UK becomes an independent trading nation for the first time in nearly 50 years.

“We are committed to working closely with businesses and the border industry to help deliver not just a fully operational border at the end of the transition period, but also the most effective and secure border in the world by 2025.”

The £705m package includes £235m for staffing and IT systems, and £470m for port and inland infrastructure to ensure compliance with new customs procedures and 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. It is understood there will be 10 to 12 inland sites.

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.

Meanwhile, a Westminster committee has claimed that the Government’s lack of understanding and overly political approach to post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland has left businesses in the dark.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee condemned the Government for leaving businesses ill-prepared for the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31.

The committee’s findings come after members conducted an inquiry into the Northern Ireland Protocol – the element of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that will see Northern Ireland operate under different trading rules to the rest of the UK.

But the Government has insisted there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

We are committed to the most secure border in the world by 2025.

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.