Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of (1) the total number, and (2) the annual cost, of additional HMRC civil servants who will need to be recruited as a result of the UK leaving the EU if (a) the UK remains in a customs union with the EU, and (2) the UK leaves the EU Customs Union.

The Government has been clear that as we leave the EU, we will also leave the EU Customs Union. Any changes to staffing levels within HM Revenue and Customs will be dependent on the outcome of EU exit negotiations. HMRC is working with HM Treasury to understand all costs associated with the options for the UK’s future customs arrangements after the UK has exited the EU.