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Written Question
Import Controls
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the timescales for businesses to prepare for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government published the draft Border Target Operating Model in April. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from 31 October in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with.

The relevant business stakeholders informed us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach to implementation is designed to give them this time.

We are working closely with businesses to get this right - the current period of engagement helps us to gather views on our draft proposals from businesses in the UK and overseas, to explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed.

The cost of preparing for regulatory change will vary from business to business, however the Government is working closely with businesses to help them understand what they need to do.

We are also using the engagement period to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes.

We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, providing further detail where needed, in the summer.


Written Question
Import Controls
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made of the potential impact on supply chains of implementing the Border Target Operating Model.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government published the draft Border Target Operating Model in April. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from 31 October in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with.

The relevant business stakeholders informed us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach to implementation is designed to give them this time.

We are working closely with businesses to get this right - the current period of engagement helps us to gather views on our draft proposals from businesses in the UK and overseas, to explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed.

The cost of preparing for regulatory change will vary from business to business, however the Government is working closely with businesses to help them understand what they need to do.

We are also using the engagement period to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes.

We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, providing further detail where needed, in the summer.


Written Question
Import Controls
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the costs to business of preparing for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government published the draft Border Target Operating Model in April. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from 31 October in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with.

The relevant business stakeholders informed us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach to implementation is designed to give them this time.

We are working closely with businesses to get this right - the current period of engagement helps us to gather views on our draft proposals from businesses in the UK and overseas, to explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed.

The cost of preparing for regulatory change will vary from business to business, however the Government is working closely with businesses to help them understand what they need to do.

We are also using the engagement period to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes.

We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, providing further detail where needed, in the summer.


Written Question
Import Controls
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish guidance for businesses on the Border Target Operating Model.

Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The government published the draft Border Target Operating Model in April. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from 31 October in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with.

The relevant business stakeholders informed us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach to implementation is designed to give them this time.

We are working closely with businesses to get this right - the current period of engagement helps us to gather views on our draft proposals from businesses in the UK and overseas, to explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed.

The cost of preparing for regulatory change will vary from business to business, however the Government is working closely with businesses to help them understand what they need to do.

We are also using the engagement period to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes.

We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, providing further detail where needed, in the summer.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Disease Control
Thursday 15th April 2021

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on advertising covid-19 restrictions.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to PQ 33512 on 23 March 2020, and to PQ 40655 on 27 April 2020.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Social Distancing
Wednesday 3rd March 2021

Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish (a) the terms of reference for the social distancing review announced by the Prime Minister on 22 February and (b) the membership of any review committee established.

Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

As set out in the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021, published on 22 February, the Government will review whether COVID-status certification could play a role in reopening our economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety. The Government will set out its conclusions ahead of Step 4 of the roadmap, which will happen no earlier than 21 June.