Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what the implications are for his negotiations with the EU of the comments of 5 June 2018 by the chief executive of HMRC to the Treasury Select Committee on the cost to UK businesses of leaving with the EU without a deal.

It is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal for both sides, and we are confident that good deal is clearer and closer than ever since we agreed the terms of an implementation period with the EU.

While we think that is by far and away the highest probability, as a responsible government we have a duty to plan for a circumstance whereby we leave without a negotiated agreement. HMRC are on course to deliver functioning customs, VAT, and excise regimes the UK will need once it leaves the EU in any scenario. This will enable trade to flow, HMRC to collect revenues and the UK to have a secure border. DExEU continues to work with HMRC to understand the impacts of a range of future customs relationships with the EU.