Ports: Northern Ireland

(asked on 19th October 2020) - View Source

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has for processes for checking goods outside of ports in Northern Ireland after the transition period.


Answered by
Penny Mordaunt Portrait
Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
This question was answered on 23rd October 2020

I refer the Hon Member to the statement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 19 October, the approach outlined in the Government's Command Paper in May, and the guidance published on 7 August regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, as well as my answers to PQs here, and the updated Border Operating Model for Great Britain and the EU, available on gov.uk.

Further to my answer to PQs here, the Government has launched a Trader Support Service to provide end-to-end support to traders, backed by £200 million in funding. I urge businesses to sign up to the scheme with a link available on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service.

We are also considering further measures of support as regards agrifood trade, as set out in the August guidance.

Regarding costs and burdens on businesses, the UK Government continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Northern Ireland produce will enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK following the end of the Transition Period.

The Government has committed to publishing further detailed information and guidance as soon as possible when relevant details are resolved, including where matters depend on discussions in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. This includes on the question of VAT and excise.

The question of Exit Summary Declarations for goods movement from Northern Ireland to Great Britain is subject to discussion at the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.

The Government has set out its approach to ensuring how the requirements of the Protocol are conducted. This will include market surveillance for industrial goods.

The Government has an extensive communications campaign in place regarding the need for businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, and this covers businesses in Northern Ireland.

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