Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled The Border Target Operating Model: Draft for Feedback, published on 5 April 2023, what steps his Department plans to take to implement the proposed changes without disrupting supply chains.

Following publication of the draft Border Target Operating Model, we have worked closely with businesses to develop our plans.

The new Border Target Operating Model sets out a new global regime of border controls that makes better use of technology and data to reduce friction and costs for businesses and consumers, while also protecting public, plant and animal health. It will create a radically simpler yet secure experience for businesses moving goods across the UK border. Businesses have indicated that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and the phased approach outlined in the draft Border Target Operating Model was designed with this in mind.

We are working to ensure that businesses throughout the supply chain are aware of and understand the new requirements. As we have done with all major border changes, we will take a pragmatic approach as controls are introduced, working with businesses to monitor trade flows and support them to be compliant.