Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the additional (a) customs and (b) security resources required to maintain frictionless trade through UK ports after the UK leaves the EU.

HMRC currently have 1,250 people working on EU exit mostly in planning and preparatory roles. In addition they have also recently recruited for a number of operational roles that could be deployed to meet HMRC priorities, including EU Exit. HMRC’s additional resource requirements will be dependent on the outcome of the negotiations.

Border Force is recruiting 300 frontline officers to allow existing staff to be trained in new requirements ahead of EU Exit. In addition Border Force are recruiting up to 1,000 Border Force officers to meet a range of business needs, including meeting normal staff turnover associated with a large operational business such as Border Force. It will also support Border Force to respond flexibly to emerging requirements, including any future requirements as a result of EU Exit.