UK Inquiry Tracker

The UK border: Implementing an effective trade border

Public Accounts Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 22 Mar 2024 Closed: 29 May 2024 Parliament page

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union changed how goods are traded across the UK-EU border, including the requirement for the introduction of customs and phytosanitary controls. Some import controls were introduced in January 2021, and the Government announced a new border operating model in April 2023, which has … Read more The UK’s decision to leave the European Union changed how goods are traded across the UK-EU border, including the requirement for the introduction of customs and phytosanitary controls. Some import controls were introduced in January 2021, and the Government announced a new border operating model in April 2023, which has a greater emphasis on risk-targeted controls. The National Audit Office (NAO)’s report on this subject considered issues including how the UK border has been operating in relation to the movement of goods since January 2021, and government plans to introduce remaining planned import controls between October 2023 and October 2024. The Committee’s January 2022 EU exit: UK border post-transition report raised concerns about the impact of changes in trading arrangements on businesses, and noted scepticism about the timetable for both the Government’s planned introduction of import controls, and its ambitious plans to create “the most effective border in the world” by 2025. The Committee was not convinced in its report that that this ambition was underpinned by a detailed plan for delivery, with further work to be done to understand and minimise the burden on those trading with the EU. Based on the NAO’s report, the Committee will hear from senior officials at the Cabinet Office, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, HM Revenue & Customs and the Home Office, on subjects including: Long-term improvement of border operation; Delivery of ambitions for the “world’s most effective border”; Costs to implement new border arrangements relating to EU exit; Any biosecurity risks from delays to the implementation of controls; If you have evidence on these issues, please submit it here by 23:59 on Monday 27 May 2024. Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. This inquiry was closed due to the 2024 General Election. Show less