Select Committee · Public Accounts Committee

EU Exit: UK Border

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Oct 2021 Closed: 26 Apr 2022 9 recommendations 22 conclusions 1 report

In December 2020 the UK and the EU reached agreement on the terms of their future relationship following Brexit. Since the end of the agreement ‘transition period’ on 31 December 2020, there have been changes in how the UK trades with the EU, and in relation to the movement of goods between Great Britain and … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Thirty-Sixth Report - EU Exit: UK Border post transition HC 746 9 Feb 2022 31 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
21 Conclusion Thirty-Sixth Report - EU Exit: UK Borde… Acknowledged

The government needs to introduce import controls for several reasons, including: to ensure imported goods...

The government needs to introduce import controls for several reasons, including: to ensure imported goods meet the relevant standards in areas such as food and product safety and disease control; to prevent smuggling and illicit activity; and to comply with international obligations.64 We heard that traders will need to notify … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observation on the need for import controls and states the recommendation is implemented, referring to a separate letter from HMRC for further information, but without detailing specific new actions in this response.
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HM Treasury
25 Conclusion Thirty-Sixth Report - EU Exit: UK Borde… Acknowledged

In December 2020, the government published its 2025 UK Border Strategy, which set out the...

In December 2020, the government published its 2025 UK Border Strategy, which set out the government’s vision to have the “world’s most effective border” by 2025.77 This set out how the government would improve coordination between government departments and agencies at the border; reduce duplicative asks for data; and make … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government outlines its 2025 UK Border Strategy and six key transformations designed to reduce costs and administrative burdens, focusing on enhancing data collection, enabling upstream compliance, and making border documentation digital.
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HM Treasury
28 Conclusion Thirty-Sixth Report - EU Exit: UK Borde… Acknowledged

The Northern Ireland Protocol came into operation from 1 January 2021, with grace periods delaying...

The Northern Ireland Protocol came into operation from 1 January 2021, with grace periods delaying the requirements for some checks and preparations.87 Government told us that the requirements of the Protocol had had a significant impact on Northern Ireland trade including causing considerable diversion of trade.88 For example, trade between … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government has been in intensive talks with the EU since October 2021 to resolve the challenges with the Northern Ireland Protocol, though remain some distance apart in reaching a negotiated outcome, and will continue to work to prepare for whatever outcome is reached.
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HM Treasury
30 Conclusion Thirty-Sixth Report - EU Exit: UK Borde… Acknowledged

The Cabinet Office told us that, having seen considerable diversion of trade and, due to...

The Cabinet Office told us that, having seen considerable diversion of trade and, due to the lack of support for the Protocol among parts of the community in Northern Ireland, the government had proposed changes to the European Commission to how the Protocol operates. It also told us that it … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government has been in intensive talks with the EU since October 2021 to resolve the challenges with the Northern Ireland Protocol, though remain some distance apart in reaching a negotiated outcome, and will continue to work to prepare for whatever outcome is reached.
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HM Treasury

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
24 Nov 2021 Alex Chisholm · Cabinet Office, Bernadette Kelly CB · Department for Transport, Emma Churchill · Ministry of Justice, Jim Harra · HMRC, Tamara Finkelstein · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
22 Nov 2021 Alex Veitch · British Chambers of Commerce, Dr Anna Jerzewska · Trade and Borders Consultancy, Richard Ballantyne · British Ports Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

8 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alex Chisholm · Chief Operating Officer Civil Service and Permane… Cabinet Office 1
Alex Veitch · Director of Policy and Insights British Chambers of Commerce 1
Bernadette Kelly CB · Permanent Secretary Department for Transport 1
Dr Anna Jerzewska · Founder Trade and Borders Consultancy 1
Emma Churchill · Director General, Policy - Courts, Access to Just… Ministry of Justice 1
Jim Harra · Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive HMRC 1
Richard Ballantyne · Chief Executive Officer British Ports Association 1
Tamara Finkelstein · Permanent Secretary Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
21 Apr 2022 Correspondence from Alex Chisholm Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service…
12 Jan 2022 Correspondence from Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, r…
11 Jan 2022 Correspondence from Alex Chisholm Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service…
14 Dec 2021 Correspondence from Alex Chisholm Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service…