Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of fast-tracking customs checks for essential repair parts for (a) wheelchairs and (b) lifts.

The Government’s priority is to keep goods moving and avoid delays at the border, but as the Government has made clear, they will not compromise on security.

As the customs authority, HMRC works alongside Border Force to ensure that border processes are as smooth as possible, whilst targeting cross-border threats. HMRC uses a risk based and intelligence-led response focusing compliance interventions on tackling the goods and traders that represent highest risks to revenue, the UK economy and wider society, and our international reputation.

HMRC clears goods within published service level agreements. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-clearance-hub-for-goods-entering-leaving-or-transiting-the-eu.