Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to comments made to the BBC on 7th December 2022 by the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Exports), with which individual EU Member States his Department has discussed simplifying customs arrangements since the UK left the EU.

HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs officials maintain an open dialogue on customs matters with the European Commission, as well as individual Member States and their customs authorities. This includes the UK/EU Trade Specialised Committee on Customs Cooperation and Rules of Origin, which is a joint forum between the UK and the EU that meets annually under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

The TCA provides for a range of customs cooperation between the UK and EU, including on facilitating transit movements and ensuring that traders are clear on how to move goods smoothly between our respective borders.