May 20, 2024
1 min read

Post-Brexit border arrangements to cost $6 bn  

The first phase of Britain’s so called new Border Target Operating Model, requiring additional certification, came into force on Jan. 31…reports Asian Lite News

The British government estimates it will spend at least 4.7 billion pounds ($6 billion) on implementing post Brexit border arrangements, after repeated delays in setting new rules, parliament’s spending watchdog said on Monday.

Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016 but, such was the scale of the task to untangle supply chains and erect customs borders, that it is only this year setting new rules.

The first phase of Britain’s so called new Border Target Operating Model, requiring additional certification, came into force on Jan. 31.

A second phase started on April 30, introducing physical checks at ports. A third phase, requiring safety and security declarations is slated for Oct. 31.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said the 4.7 billion pounds figure is the amount the government forecasts it will spend on the 13 most significant programmes to manage the passage of goods across the border post Brexit and improve performance over the lifetime of the programmes.

The government delayed the implementation of full controls five times since the end of the EU exit transition period on Dec. 31 2020.

This caused uncertainty for businesses, extra costs for government and ports and increased the biosecurity risk to the UK, the NAO said.

“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,” it said.

“Late announcements about policy and uncertainty about the implementation of controls have also reduced the ability of businesses and ports to prepare for changes.” The NAO noted that while post EU exit border processes have operated “relatively smoothly”, businesses trading goods between the UK and the EU have faced additional costs and administrative burdens.

The watchdog was also critical of the government’s 2025 UK Border Strategy, which was published in 2020, saying it “lacks a clear timetable and an integrated cross-government delivery plan, with individual departments leading different aspects of implementation.”

The government also needed “a more realistic approach” to digital transformation, the NAO said.

ALSO READ-Farmers protest post-Brexit rules and trade deals

Previous Story

Brighton city gets its first Muslim mayor

Next Story

Modi rubbishes opposition’s unemployment narrative

Latest from -Top News

Beijing Targets Hong Kong Democracy

Latest annual UN report highlighted the growing and sophisticated trend of cross-border repression targeting human rights activists…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations, in its latest report on reprisals, revealed that two

‘1945 INA trial gave Congress huge impetus’

Congress’ freedom movement against British rule got a tremendous impetus from the 1945 showpiece trial of three officers of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), says CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali

Minorities in Bangladesh Live in Fear

Minorities are insecure in Bangladesh, be they ethnic or religious. The Bengali-speaking Hindu minorities have been facing attacks regularly since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government … writes Rahul Sharma The

Pakistan, Afghanistan Seek Calm

The Doha talks are seen as a crucial step in de-escalating hostilities, addressing security concerns, and preventing further civilian casualties along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sunak claims Starmer could put Brexit in peril

Home Secretary Cleverly has claimed Labour will “open the door

Support to rejoin EU passes 50% for the first time

If a referendum on returning to the EU was organised