BREXIT BORDER CHAOS
Parcels, fish and M&S hit
NEW Brexit border rules are causing chaos as firms warn of delays caused by red tape.
Courier DPD UK has paused its road delivery services into Europe and Ireland until at least Wednesday, blaming issues resulting from the EU-UK trade deal which came into effect on December 31.
It warned that up to 20% of parcels had incorrect or incomplete data, meaning they had to be returned.
And UK fishermen claim to have been hit by a “perfect storm” following Brexit. They claim the new rules mean British-landed fish are being left to rot because of a post-Brexit “brick wall of bureaucracy”. Even
Ministers have to get a grip on this and make sure essential workers are actually able to do their jobs
JIM McMAHON SHADOW TRANSPORT SECRETARY
Marks & Spencer’s supply of Percy Pigs has been affected, with the retailer struggling to get the sweets across the Irish Sea.
In order to avoid a hard border with the Republic, PM Boris Johnson agreed Northern Ireland would remain in the EU single market – but that has meant checks on goods arriving from Great Britain.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has admitted that “busy times” may lie ahead at UK borders as firms get to grips with the post-EU paperwork.
And Michael Gove said he expected to see more “significant disruption, particularly on the Dover -
Ca la is route”. Labour ha has accused the Government of p poor preparation tion causing disruption d to British businesses businesse already hit hard by coronavir coronavirus. Shadow transport transp secretary Jim McMahon McM said: “Th The Government men promised it ha had a plan to make sure things ran smoothly for businesses and hauliers post-Brexit.
“Ministers have to get a grip on this and make sure essential workers are actually able to do their jobs.”
A Government spokesman said: “We were always clear that there would be some disruption.”