Dover, UK: Post-Brexit border checks will cost UK businesses £470m a year and there is still no clear timetable for their full introduction, according to the government’s public spending watchdog.
In a damning report, the National Audit Office criticised the government’s handling of the post-Brexit border arrangements, saying that “traders face increasing additional costs and administrative burdens”.
The National Audit Office stresses that the government has repeatedly changed and deferred its plans for the introduction of full import controls following the UK’s exit from the European Union. It also points out that while the government intends to introduce most of the remaining import controls during 2024 it is “still not clear when full controls will be in place”.
The report says that the repeated changes to – and deferrals of – the plan to introduce full import controls have led to uncertainty for businesses and extra costs for government and ports. The delays and computer glitches will push up the project’s costs to at least £4.7bn, the NAO found.
Since the transition period concluded at the end of 2020, the government has delayed its post-Brexit border check plans five times.
“The repeated delays in introducing import controls, and difficulties forecasting requirements, have resulted in government expenditure on infrastructure and staff that were ultimately not needed.”
The National Audit Office recommends that full border controls operate at all ports as soon as possible, with government departments and devolved administrations collaborating where necessary.
Gareth Davies, head, National Audit Office, said: “The UK leaving the EU created a large-scale change in arrangements for the movement of goods across the border. However, more than three years after the end of the transition period, it is still not clear when full controls will be in place.
“The border strategy has ambitious plans to use technology and data to facilitate trade while managing risks. To achieve its objectives, government requires strong delivery and accountability – including a more realistic approach to digital transformation – together with effective monitoring to enable future improvements.”
The National Audit Office’s criticisms come a week after an IT outage led to lorries being held at the border posts for up to 20 hours, affecting many import businesses bringing in goods from the EU.
