Oral Answers to Questions

Gerald Jones Excerpts

Thursday 25th October 2018 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential for UK border delays in the event that no deal is agreed for when the UK leaves the EU.

[Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential for UK border delays in the event that no deal is agreed for when the UK leaves the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Dominic Raab)]

The Government have published 106 technical notices addressing the no-deal scenario. We are striving for a good deal with our European Union partners, but we will be ready for all outcomes from the negotiations.

[Gerald Jones]

Recent National Audit Office estimates state that if customs declarations are required for trading between the UK and the EU, the total number of declarations could increase by about 360%, from 55 million currently on non-EU trade to 225 million. What estimate has the Minister made of the additional staff that will be required and, not least, the likely tailbacks that could ensue at UK ports?

[Dominic Raab]

There certainly is a risk of no deal, especially if the EU engages in a deliberately intransigent approach. The hon. Gentleman asks about staff. We are recruiting 300 extra staff, with a further 600 planned. We have given a range of advice through our 106 technical notices, half of which gave advice on customs procedures for businesses. There have been 300,000 letters sent to current customs users and 145,000 letters to VAT-registered businesses.