Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to establish customs posts at ports and airports in Northern Ireland; and if so, (1) where those posts will be located, and (2) what will be the function and purpose of those posts.

On 20 May 2020 the UK Government set out our approach in the Command Paper ‘The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol’ confirming there will be no new physical customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland (or in Great Britain ports facing Northern Ireland). The limited additional processes required by the Protocol should be implemented in a way that takes account of all available flexibilities, and respects Northern Ireland’s place in the UK’s customs territory.

As ministers set out, we will expand some existing entry points for agrifood goods to provide for proportionate additional controls, in locations where these already take place such as Larne and Belfast. We will continue to work closely with the NI Executive to take that work forward.