Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of haulage and logistics companies who will be unable to find a customs brokerage service by 1 January 2021.

The UK has a well-established customs intermediaries sector which serves British businesses trading outside the EU. The sector is varied and consists of a number of different business models, including specific customs agents, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators; all of which will require differing numbers of staff.

The sector is responding to the increased demand from traders. Government support of up to £84m has been designed to meet the needs of the sector to build capacity flexibly by covering training and IT, as well as recruitment.

The Government continues to monitor progress carefully and keeps support under review.