Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Paragraph: 30
While we note that the UK Government has launched an extensive information campaign to warn...
Conclusion
While we note that the UK Government has launched an extensive information campaign to warn businesses of the need to prepare for new trading arrangements with the EU, we remain concerned that many Welsh businesses have either waited to see whether a deal was reached before beginning to make their preparations, or are unaware of the fact that even with a deal such preparations are essential.
Paragraph Reference:
30
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
• From July 2021, infrastructure will be needed to meet the further requirements of full border controls on EU goods as set out in the Border Operating Model. In July 2020, the Government committed to spending £705 million on new border infrastructure to support ports in building extra capacity to meet the new control requirements where there is space to do so. This funding was provided for improved IT systems as well as for infrastructure at ports (through the £200 million Port Infrastructure Fund—PIF) and at Inland Border Facilities (£270 million) to support ports which do not have the space to build new infrastructure on site. • Holyhead, Pembroke and Fishguard have all been allocated funding from the PIF to deliver on-site infrastructure at the port. The UK Government is also working with the Welsh Government to deliver Inland Border Facilities in North and South Wales to accommodate necessary checks which cannot be accommodated on-site due to space constraints. • Timescales for inland facilities are challenging but the UK Government is working closely with the Welsh Government to speed up delivery, including regular discussions between Ministers. The provision of inland facilities for Holyhead is a shared responsibility between HMRC and the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government is responsible for facilities for South West Wales because it has devolved responsibility for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks.