PM HINT ON £23m PACKAGE OF COMPO
BORIS Johnson is set to offer seafood exporters a £23million compensation package to help refund the industry for lost trade caused by Brexit red tape.
The Prime Minister let slip details of the package in a TV interview – as Scots shellfish exporters took their frustration to near Downing Street in a mass lorry demo.
Johnson appeared to blurt out the figure while being cross-examined on compensation the industry could expect.
He said: “Where businesses, through no fault of their own, have experienced bureaucratic delays or difficulties getting their goods through and where there is a genuine, willing buyer on the other side of the Channel, and they’ve had a problem, there’s a £23million compensation fund we set up and we’ll make sure they get help.”
Johnson last week promised compensation to exporters facing paperwork delays that meant livestock perished in transit following new Brexit rules.
The industry want the sum be in addition to the £100million of support the Government pledged to the sector to deal with changes post-Brexit. But ministers appeared to row back from that and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab angered exporters by dismissing delays as “teething problems”.
But Johnson doubled down on his commitment in the TV interview. He said: “Insofar as there are teething problems – people not filling in the right forms or misunderstandings – and, when it’s not people’s fault, of course we’re going to compensate and help out.”
“Funds have been put in place but there are great opportunities for fishermen to take advantage of the spectacular marine wealth of the UK.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “We’ve been calling for financial compensation for our fishing industry so this is a welcome step forward from the UK Government.
“This situation has been devastating for our fishermen so I hope this money will be delivered as urgently as possible.”
The Metropolitan Police said 14 people had been issued with fines as seafood hauliers descended on roads near Whitehall. Lorries were adorned with slogans showing the anger over export issues.